Pole Barn

Anonymous

41m2

$70,000

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The Project

This project consists of a 9m x 4.5m pole barn with a mezzanine that is infilled with straw bales. It has been set up to accommodate a large array of solar panels that power the barn as well as other buildings on the property. On the East, West, and North walls, an Earth-bag foundation has been placed between the poles with the straw bales on top. The straw bales have been plastered internally and externally with earthen plasters, and the external walls are finished with a lime render which acts as a moisture barrier. The South wall has been built with a timber frame with ply cladding and a cavity as it is the most exposed wall to the elements. The North wall has glass doors for letting the sun in which heats up the earthen floors that are throughout the building. A rocket stove is used for heating.

Low Cost

The main factor driving down the costs on this house is the small size. The materials were also relatively cheap. Most of the labour was paid for and therefore large cost savings were not made in this area. This said, some volunteer labour in the form of a woofer helped bring the costs down, as did the paid worker reducing their costs because they thought the project was cool.

With regards to materials, straw bales are cheap, currently costing around $10 a bale, and earthen plasters can also be cost effective, usually not costing anything as they can be sourced on site or nearby.

The cost of the project excludes electrical work. The project does not have any plumbing.