Not our first rodeo!

Several Building Integrity owners have experience with straw bale construction going back decades. In addition to prefabricated straw bale, examples of our collective experience with other straw bale methods are shown below. We have observed straw bale construction's evolution over time and see prefabricated straw panels as a significantly more efficient way to build more and higher-performing structures with straw. For more photos of this project, see last photo carousel at the bottom of this page.

(Above) Building Integrity is currently constructing a 530sf prefab straw panel cabin on the south side of Columbia, Missouri. Panel layout and engineering coordination was conducted by Monarch Architecture. The homeowner / GC is engaging with Building Integrity for all panel construction, transportation, installation, and other dry-in and finishing tasks. The building utilizes airtight high performance detailing including: an exterior rainscreen using Henry Blueskin VP100, a vapor-permeable, self-adhered exterior water and air barrier & Intello, a vapor smart interior air membrane. The permitting authority is Boone County, MO.

(Above) Straw-Cell ADU (Accessory Dwelling Unit) in Columbia, Missouri completed in 2022. Designed and constructed by Adrienne Stolwyk and Adam Saunders. Straw bale installation and plaster coordination by Tommy Fieser. The structure goes beyond net-zero, producing enough electricity from its rooftop solar array to offset both the ADU and primary residences' annual electric demand. 

(Above) Timber-framed straw bale home near Fayette, Missouri, completed in 2023. Designed and constructed by Nick Carstens. The house features lime and earthen plaster, earthen floors, a stacked stone foundation, and refurbished historic windows. The structure's foundation was constructed with some cement mortar, but did not use any concrete.

(Above) Starting as a concrete slab, we were contracted to help build this small cabin near the river around our hometown of Columbia, MO. Pictures include the process from slab, to walls, to trusses, exterior weather barrier, interior air layer, EarthHaus plaster, and finishing touches.