Thanks Marcel

When I attended Art School in Holland, one of my professors would say regularly: "focus on the BIG lines...don't get stuck with the little ones." What he was telling me, in a simple and understandable way, was to think more conceptually and less operationally. 85% of people think operationally - hey, it's just how stuff gets done. But the designer has to look at the bigger picture, i,e. think conceptually, if the design will be understandable and comprehensive. The professor's name is Marcel Ponjee. Thanks Marcel.

Thoughts

• Just because it's always been done that way doesn't mean that it's the right way. However, just because it's different doesn't always mean it's better. The key, and challenge, is to use what works; sometimes that means using a tried & true method - sometimes that means inventing a new one.
• People do better work when they are happy. Cosimo Medici, godfather of the Renaissance, embraced this, allowing his artists their quirks, excesses, mood swings, and the like - out of this came some of the most groundbreaking works of art and architecture known today: such as Donatello's "David" and Brunelleschi's tower for Florence Cathedral. The big stuff comes out of people who are able to work in their optimum operation style; within "their" parameters.

What is Strawbale Construction?

So what is straw-bale construction anyway? Simply put, it is a post-and-beam system with straw bales; the bales are infill.

Why would anyone do this?

- Well, it's green for one - straw bales are a naturally growing, renewable resource: the post and beam system also uses less lumber than 2x stick framing or steel studs in light gauge metal framing.

- While standard residential exterior wall construction has an R-Value of 20-25 (this is your insulating value), straw-bale has an R-Value of 60.

- What's more is the finish; plaster over straw-bale gives a wavy, organic wall profile. It finishes with true character.

Using What's Already There

Do you have to create something new to make it yours? We have a lot that's already there to work with. The big plus in retrofitting, renovating, and recycling, is that you are working with something that has a history, and with history comes character. New York's Highline Park is an example of this on a grand scale: