Straw Composite (straw bale) Systems   In the late 1980's members of the permaculture movement in the American Southwest rediscovered an old building material, the ubiquitous Straw Bale. Since then hundreds of residences and structures have been built using this refound material system. A growing body of research is now available from engineers and universities as the building industry takes Straw Bale more and more seriously. Building code prescriptive standards are also being drawn up. Straw is also being developed as a viable alternative material for interior partition systems and OSB (Oriented Strand Board)   Luxury residences and retreat centers have been built using straw bale construction and the Real Goods "Solar Living Center" product show room in Hopeland, CA, using straw bale walls opened in March 1996.   Concerns involving stability, fire, moisture, rodents, insects and wolves (wind, that is) are all better addressed in the following sites. Many of these immediate doubts that might arise are unfounded based on the growing body of information now available. Straw bales, it turns out, make for highly stable, fire resistant, termite resistant, warm. dry dwellings. Deep window openings and sculptural possibilities make for structures with both old world charm and organic form possibilities.   Straw Bale construction addresses the requirements of green building on three important fronts:   One, it is a superior insulation system. Two, it is an alternative to the extensive use of lumber in wall framing, lumber that is usually harvested by non-sustainable practices. Three, it is a recycled waste material. Straw is a by- product of harvesting grain crops and tons of it are burned every year. Not to be confused with hay, which is composed of grass, straw is primarily cellulose and lignin with no nutritional attraction for insects, rodents or livestock.   Overview of Straw Bale Construction is an introductory discussion of strawbale construction presented to a professional conference of architects   Published Materials: The following books and recources contain basic reading for anyone seriously considering straw bale construction. These and more are available from Out on Bale and Black Range (see below).   The Straw Bale House by Steen, Steen & Bainbridge with David Eisenberg. This is the definitive in-depth publication on straw bale construction and is available at bookstores.   Build it with Bales by S.O. MacDonald and Matts Myhrman is a practical step by step guide to straw bale construction by two of the original discoverers of the material for construction.   Out on Bale by Mail is a clearinghouse for straw bale construction information, education and resources including videos, workshops, test reports and books. 1037 E. Linden St. Tucson, AZ 85719 (520) 624-1673   The Last Straw is the straw bale community's quarterly news journal. P.O. Box 4000 Tucson, AZ 85733   The following sites connect you to information sites, other consultants and builders that are contributing to this expanding technology.   Solstice Straw Construction   Solstice sponsors this forum on emerging trends, images and research. It also provides an e-mail list serve containing an ongoing dialog between SB experts on such topics as construction techniques, moisture control, stucco systems and many others.   Black Range   Hosts a website on Natural Building. This is a good site to find photos of straw bale buildings and workshops as well as order some of the publications available. Black Range also has produced informative videos about straw bale construction.   Resource Guide for Straw Bale   Gary Shea's site is an actively maintained information clearinghouse and registry for resources, organizations, people and web sites concerning StrawBale.   Straw Bale Frequently Asked Questions   Sponsored by Skillful Means Builders and authored by Straw Bale builder John Swearington, this is the site for straightforward answers to common concerns about building with straw.   Straw Bale Links List   At The Masrony Heating Association site, is one of three sites that hosts MJ Epko's "The Surfin Strawbale" list. This is the most comprehensive list of internet straw bale links available   Strawbale Construction Comes of Age   Is a good, though slightly dated introduction to straw bale construction sponsored by the U.S. Department of Energy. The article also documents a demonstration project with informative comparative charts.   Note: Many thanks to Strawbale Scribe M.J. Ekpo for valuable assistance and advice in selecting this brief list from the hundreds of Straw Bale web sites out there.