straw bale shack

i've been camping off and on all spring and summer in our woods in central ilinois and am thinking of putting up a strawbale shack to winter in, maybe 14' x 14' inside dimensions. i'd appreciate any tips. i'd put a window and door, dirt floor, maybe cocrete block foundation and metal roof.

Haven't done it myself but... There's almost no such thing as eaves too wide.

Hi Michael,

I am known for my design and architecture facilitation background...oddly enough, because of preference, as well as, other professional focusses...I sleep outside or in "rustic shelters" 350 plus days a year. So, I love the idea of anyone trying to build a "transient" and temporary shelter out of grass.

In the case as you have described (which I have built and slept in down to -30 degree F) can be done in several forms including like that of an Igloo or vaulted dome. Grass "nest" are very cozy, and with these you do not have to have the "purer" forms of "straw bale" but can use "hay," as you do not plan on the structure being permeant only seasonal and fast to build.

I have also facilitated timber frame platforms with Pavilion Roofs with good overhang that can then accommodate "seasonal walls" of "hay." This is basically a timber frame "tent" that can be made "four seasons" by adding the "hay" layer that will work for animal fodder and mulch at a later date.

There are countless ways of going about all of this...so I am excited for you to have this adventure in living creatively....

Good Luck,

j