In preparation for applying the natural clay plaster on the straw bale walls in this timber frame home, the walls had to be stuffed tightly between all the bales with packed straw. Air spaces in the straw bale walls allow a greater chance of fire, so these air pockets must be eliminated. The spaces can be no larger than an egg.
The straw stuffing initially sticks out of the walls and makes them look “hairy”. The next step is the light clay straw stuffing to further eliminate air pockets and to shape the walls for the plaster application.
In this photo, you will notice that the timbers and the floor are masked with plastic and cardboard to protect them from getting dirty as the light clay straw and plaster are applied.
