Recent fire studies from Canada, Arizona and New Mexico show that straw bale houses are more fire resistant than conventional wood frame houses. The plastered bales hold enough air to provide good insulation, but are firmly compacted and do not hold enough air to allow combustion. Other straw bale projects in France, California and Iowa have shown that straw bale is a good construction technique for new or retrofit housing. Straw bales are forgiving and easy to build with. The basic technique of building with bales can be learned in a couple of days.
Straw is a cheap and abundant building material.
Arches, Vaults, and Domes Arches, vaults and domes have been used for centuries to roof houses when wood was scarce or not available. The curved structures are some of the most sophisticated and important architectural feats in history. Domes, vaults and arches work by compression. As gravity presses down upon the structures, uniform loads keep them firmly in place. Curved, vaulted or dome ceilings are stronger than flat roofed systems and do not require the use of wood beams made from old growth trees.