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Santa Cruz Home's 'Bale Raising'

For "Gotta Bale," the Off the Grid story in our October 2012 issue, we visit the Santa Cruz, California, home of college professors Bernie Tershy and Erika Zavaleta. Though there's a lot that makes this Arkin Tilt Architects–designed home green, a key feature is the staw-bale insulation on the street-facing wall of the home. Arkin Tilt has a score of straw-bale houses under its belt and the firm shared a few behind-the-scenes shots with Dwell to help us understand just how Tershy and Zavaleta's house came together.

Slideshow Photo
Before setting any straw in the walls, Arkin Tilt had to design a support system tailor made for big bales of hay. They relied on wooden I-joists here on the front of the house spaced at intervals so that a set number of bales (tipped up on their sides) would fit. Photo courtesy of Arkin Tilt Architects.

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written by:
Aaron Britt
September 18, 2012

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