Mini Straw ‘Shed’
The Project
Tom and Shaye Boddington built this small straw bale shed as a precursor to a much larger project – a 4-bedroom straw bale family home (yet to be built). This being their first stab at straw bale construction, they wanted to start with something small, to have a better idea of what they’ll be in for when it’s time to break ground for their larger home. One day, after they’ve completed their new straw bale home, this smaller structure will be used as a guest house.
Within the house’s walls is timber framing, in which the load of the roof is carried by the timber posts rather than resting on the bales. This is called a“Buck & Beam” construction and is a common practice when building with straw bales - particularly in areas frequented by earthquakes (it is possible to have the straw bales carry the load of the roof but this often requires engineering as there are not yet standards in New Zealand).
The shed has an earthen floor, a corrugated iron roof, natural timber finishes, and recycled doors and windows. The straw bales provide good insulation and all the materials are non-toxic. There is inset shelving for books and ornaments carved into the walls and there is an artistic motif incorporated into the upper wall of the living area.
The building runs completely off grid. It is able to harvest its own rainwater, and provides its own energy through solar panels. There is a separate outdoor bathroom.
Low Cost
There are four main reasons for the cost of this structure being as low as it is. The first is that it is small. A smaller building means fewer materials and less work which in turn equates to lower cost.
The second reason is that the materials used in the build are of a low cost, with straw bales and earth being readily and cheaply available. Using recycled materials wherever possible also kept the cost down and minimized the impact on the environment - saving things from ending up at the rubbish tip.
The third and possibly largest contributing factor to keeping the cost down was the DIY nature of the project. By doing it themselves, with the help of friends, family, and volunteers, all labour costs were saved. In addition, friendships and a sense of community were created in the process.
The fourth reason is not to do with the physical build itself but to do with it’s classification as a building. The building is classified as a shed as there was an existing shed in the same location which has been rebuilt as this straw bale building. This has meant no consents were required. It also does not contain any permanent kitchen fixtures or bathroom allowing it to maintain it’s status of being a shed.
About DIY House Building
For Shaye and Tom Boddington the journey really kicked off when Tom was browsing Amazon for a birthday present for Shaye. Tom came across a book which he gifted her titled ‘The Hand Sculpted House’. They “devoured” the book over a weekend and were blown away by the houses they saw in the book. They knew that they had to build one. The couple felt that from whatever angle you came at it the houses in the book, when compared to the majority of houses in Aotearoa, were warmer, more beautiful, more sustainable, potentially less expensive, less toxic, longer lasting, and DIY friendly.
So began their journey. Tom had always been a DIY sort of person and Shaye was naturally creative. In addition to the shed featured here, the couple has built with straw bale, cob, adobe, and rammed earth. They have also built tiny houses and helped with Earthships. For the Boddingtons, one of the most attractive things about the DIY building work they’ve been involved in is that it builds community. They’ve had a great time building with friends and family as well as complete strangers.
DIY House Building does several different things. They promote DIY construction via their website and talks they give, build tiny houses, sell trailers fit for tiny homes, and sell plans for two of their tiny home models titled Lucy and Doris Jean.
Contact
If you would like to learn more about Tom & Shaye’s business and catch up with their current projects as well as be inspired to start your own, you can do so by visiting their website - Diyhousebuilding.com or check out Shaye’s Instagram at instagram.com/shayes_tiny_homes for updates on their new and old projects.
