Architect Alan Benoit will discuss the ins and outs of building a straw bale home at the Manchester Community Library.

Building a home using natural materials like straw and clay would seem perfectly normal for Arizona in the 1800s. But what about using these materials to build a home today in Northern Vermont’s wetter and much colder climate? How do you keep the straw dry, control air tightness and meet our stringent energy code? How do you even begin to build a house using straw bales and what are the tools and techniques used? This month’s Sustainable Living presentation will answer all these questions and many others with an excellent collection of photos, videos and even some hands-on demonstrations. Better still, the homeowners/builders will be in attendance to give a first-hand account of the process, describe building their “labor of love” and share all that they’ve learned along the way.

If you’ve ever considered building your dream home, want to use natural materials in your next project, or are simply curious about the process, then you won’t want to miss this month’s fascinating talk!

The program is free and open to the public. Manchester Community Library is located at 138 Cemetery Ave. in Manchester Center. Info: email events@mclvt.org or call 802-362-2607.

Oct 22, 2024, 6:30 to 8:45 PM

Oct 23, 2024, 6 to 8 PM

Oct 26, 2024, 10 to 11 AM