In Columbia, MO, a revolutionary housing alternative is on the horizon. Building Integrity LLC, a local construction company, recently hosted an open house to display the remarkable progress of their first home constructed using prefabricated straw bale panels. Co-president Adrienne Stolwyk emphasizes their goal of creating high-performing homes while demonstrating the viability of straw as a sustainable building material. As she explains, "Strawable structures can last 100 years. There's a significant amount of resilience in straw as a building material, especially in the prefabricated wall system we're implementing here."

Columbia's Support for Strawable Construction

In 2016, the Columbia City Council took a significant step by establishing regulations that allow for "strawable construction" and "light-straw clay construction." This move has opened up new possibilities for homeowners like Lisa Schwartz, who attended the open house and is considering this innovative option for an extension on her cottage. She remarks, "Even though my house is quite old, using new energy-conserving techniques seems fabulous. I'm really excited about it."

Fast Construction with Prefabricated Materials

Although the home is not yet fully finished, a significant portion has been completed within just two months. Stolwyk attributes this rapid construction to the use of prefabricated materials. She states, "This method is much faster and seamlessly integrates with conventional construction practices. It allows us to achieve remarkable progress in a short period."

Energy-Efficient High-Performing Homes

Stolwyk defines high-performing homes as those that are highly energy-efficient, with extremely low operational costs for heating, cooling, and lighting. She believes that with this type of construction, the production cost can be reduced, making it more accessible to the average consumer. She says, "We think that by optimizing the construction process, we can offer homes that are not only sustainable but also cost-effective for homeowners."

Addressing Common Misconceptions

There are three common misconceptions about straw bale homes that Stolwyk addresses. Regarding fire, she explains, "Straw is indeed flammable, but when compressed into bales, there is no oxygen available. This significantly reduces the risk of a fire." Lisa Schwartz also shares her confidence, stating, "Based on my research, there is very little fire risk as there is no oxygen. It's one of the key advantages of straw bale construction."When it comes to mold, the company takes precautions by avoiding construction in wet conditions and ensuring proper drying of the walls. Stolwyk elaborates, "We use materials like cellulose and continuously monitor moisture levels during construction. As long as the moisture content is below 30%, which is within the acceptable range, there is little to no risk of mold growth. Our bales typically have a moisture content of 10%."Regarding pests, Stolwyk notes that straw, unlike hay, does not attract them. She explains, "Hay contains the seed head, while straw is just the fibrous stalk after the seed head is removed. It doesn't have the nutritionally dense seeds that pests are attracted to. Additionally, the straw is packed densely, making it difficult for critters to enter or nest in the walls." Lisa Schwartz agrees, saying, "There is no food source within the straw. It's not like hay with seeds. So, I have no concerns about pests at all."

Homeownership Assistance Program in Columbia

The City of Columbia offers a homeownership assistance program specifically designed for low-to-moderate income households. This provides an additional incentive for those considering sustainable housing options like prefabricated straw bale homes.