Straw Bale: A Winning Choice for All Projects
Once regarded as reserved for residential outposts, straw bale construction is gaining attention in the public sector. High energy efficiency, qualification for LEED points, and the ability to use community labor can tip the scales in favor of using this traditional building method. For the following projects, all of the positive qualities of straw bale added up to a win-win for the owners and builders. Transit Facility The Santa Clarita Transit Maintenance Facility is a LEED Gold-certified building by HOK Architects. The facility includes a 22,000 square-foot administration building, 25,000 square-foot maintenance building, bus wash facility, [compressed natural gas] CNG fueling island for city buses, and a publicly accessible CNG fueling station. Completed in 2006, the project cost was $20 million. (Harnack, Leah. "Going Green in the Maintenance Department," Mass Transit Magazine , March 14, 2011.) Read more about it here . Photos by HOK . High School Classroo