Weblog «Pathways To Spirit»
Dedicated To The Future Of Native America

10.1.2008, 21:58
Strawbale Home Completed

Dave Hanson and Eric Iverson completed the first Pathways' sponsored strawbale home in August of '07. We are very grateful to them for their expertise and willingness to drive all the way from Washington State 3 times during the summer to do this pilot project. Each of them has been in the home construction business for many years.

The home was built in a remote location of American Horse Creek. Look under the Summer "07 newsletter for pictures of the home. It is truly a beautiful home.

Dave and Eric are not yet convinced that straw bale is the way to go on the reservation - especially with cost incurred when the builders are coming from so far away. The home had a materials cost of $22.07 per squ ft. The per diem cost was about $16.20 per square foot. So, the total cost of the projects was $38.27 per square foot. Dave feels that is too high for that building and if donated labor was added in as a cost it would be impossible. Also, these costs do not include power or septic. On the rez, these are usually free but take anywhere from 2 - 5 yrs to get installed. We have no control over that fact.

In order to continue with straw and clay building we would have to reduce the per diem costs of the builders which would mean a lot of help from the local people in that community. Another way would be to have a team living from RV's.

The best way for this type of building to continue on the rez would be for strawbale builders to commit themselves to workshops on the rez that could train local people. This would mean builders donating their time to train the Lakota people who are interested.

Dave and Eric feel that earh-bag construction may be even more appropriate on the reservation. Much education and training for the Lakota people for this concept must take place.

With all this in mind, we would like your input and suggestions. We want to hear from builders as to a way to improve housing - in a green way - on the reservation. If you have building experience and a lot of compassion, we would like to hear from you.

Comments (2)
Category: Earth Shelter

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- COMMENTS -

Patrick Preciado
12.01.2008, 06:38
Hello, I saw your article on needing contractors to donate their time to show you (the Lakota) how to build straw bale homes. I am a general contracotor in the State of California and recently moved here to Arizona to build more straw bale homes. I should have my contractors license here in AZ soon. I am starting on a home on an organic farm in Queen Creek Arizona in the next three weeks. Please keep in touch with me as I become more experienced on this type of home I will donate some time each year to teach. It was a goal of mine anyway and just happened to see your article. So we both win. I do not know if it matters and it is not the reason I want to volenteer. My Grandmother was Cherokee and I am registered in that Nation. It would seem fitting that I help people that I share haritage with.
Hope to hear from you and keep in contact as my experience grows.
Patrick Preciado
Phoenix, Arizona

JD
30.03.2008, 22:11
Are you building a star bale home in Queen Creek? And what is address I would like to se it under construction.

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