Need to correct something, I wrote above that "The problems I see with things like alternative building processes, energy sources, etc.", what I should have written and what I meant was the problem people have with alternative building methods and processes..."it's a people problem, not a construction problem. There's nothing wrong at all with alternatives. Quite the contrary in fact.

As for strawbales in fire, the bales are covered with adobe/concrete as I mentioned, the house I stayed in specifically is near Julian, CA, scene of a tragic fire a few years ago, the house not only survived, it came thru virtually unscathed. The house is also interesting in it's shape, it's round with a timber frame. A dome shape if you will, very efficient in it's use of space, relatively inexpensive to build and dead easy to maintain.

Doesn't look like a hobbit house...;^)


JohnE