The Strawbale House

Payson, AZ

 

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Located in a flat and secluded clearing of a juniper, oak and ponderosa forest near the Mogollon Rim in Arizona, the Strawbale house is elevated above grade on a stone base to take advantage of distant vistas. Considerations of solar orientation with regards to shading and passive heating are complimented by a deep wrap-around porch off of the South facing living area. On the interior, a linear gallery organizes the circulation core and connects the kitchen and dining rooms on the north side of the house to the southern view.

The form and construction of the house is a modern and sustainable reinterpretation of neighboring homestead buildings. Straw bale exterior walls provide high insulation values and contribute to significant energy savings. Deep window penetrations in these thick walls, in combination with exposed post and beam construction and a corrugated metal roof reinforce and update the local vernacular.