Unique Eco-Home Made of Straw Launches to the Market with DOMVS
Just launched: A beautifully crafted eco-home, built from renewable and high-insulation straw-bale blocks, located in the picturesque village of Milborne St Andrew.
Constructed with environmentally friendly materials, including highly durable and fire-resistant Graphenstone rendering, this home sets the standard for sustainable living.
Gleanings, as the property is known, was designed by Barbara Jones, the founder of the School of Natural Building and a global authority on straw-bale construction. The 2016 cottage commits to efficiency, form, and function, offering significant practical benefits over conventional construction methods. The home is thoughtfully designed to be accessible for all age ranges, from young families to retirees, and is fully wheelchair accessible.
The open-plan sitting and dining room offers rustic wooden floors and high vaulted ceilings with exposed beams. A large wood burner heats the living area, and glass-fronted double doors open onto the secluded garden, that wraps around the south, west, and east sides of the property, providing abundant sunlight and connection to nature.
A unique mezzanine level houses the principal bedroom, offering a versatile space that can accommodate a sofa, reading nook, or, as currently utilised, a bright and characterful artist studio. The option to create a separate studio area with a wall is possible, subject to the necessary consent. Additionally, the home has a second bedroom, utility room and off-road parking.
The home stands on gravel-filled tyres, formed into pillars to support the house, and adapted to suit the natural slope of the land. The barley straw walls are staked together with hazel, and compressed to remove air for improved fire retardancy and strength. The roof is insulated with sheep’s wool and covered with cedar shingles, while the windows, imported from Germany, are triple-glazed for maximum energy efficiency.
The exterior of the house is rendered with lime and recently repainted with durable Graphenstone. Decorative exterior wall designs of barley and cow parsley add charm, while on the inside, the plaster on the straw walls is clay, some of which was sourced from the garden, and a truth window on the stairs provides a glimpse into the straw construction.
Semi-automated natural dehumidifying vents in the kitchen and bathroom ensure a comfortable living environment by regulating moisture levels efficiently. The home operates without a traditional wet system. A water heater provides hot water on demand for the kitchen and bathroom, and the log burner heats most of the house. The bathroom features a UV heater, and the house remains comfortable year-round, rarely dipping below 15 degrees or exceeding 25 degrees, thanks to the excellent insulative properties of straw.
Stuart Bramley, the selling agent for DOMVS, remarked, “This is an extraordinary opportunity to own a home that is not only unique in its construction but also offers unparalleled energy efficiency and environmental benefits. Gleanings is a testament to sustainable living without compromising on comfort or style.“
The seller shared, “We did much research before realising our dream of building an eco home. Straw bale buildings, which originated in America over 100 years ago and are still standing the test of time, are constructed using innovative building techniques and will extend a property’s life expectancy, even in a changing climate. Our home is designed for living, loving, and growing, and I hope the next owners find as much joy in it as we have.“
This bespoke, character-filled eco-home offers a rare opportunity to embrace sustainable living in a tranquil village setting.
For further information or to arrange a viewing, please contact Stuart Bramley or click here.
For Sale by Informal Tender (closing date 12:00 19/07/24)
Media Contact
Stuart Bramley,
Consultant Agent
DOMVS
T. 01747 441500
About DOMVS
DOMVS is an award-winning estate agency with a network of offices providing sales, lettings, holiday lets and land advisory services across the entire Dorset county. With a reputation built on honesty, determination and empathy, DOMVS has been exceeding its clients’ expectations since 2005.
About Barbara Jones & Wellspring Architecture
Barbara Jones is a trailblazer in sustainable building. Initially facing challenges as a woman in the construction industry, she trained as a carpenter and joiner, specialising in roofing, and founded Amazon Nails, a women’s roofing company, in 1989. Barbara discovered straw-bale building in 1994 and has since dedicated her career to promoting this eco-friendly construction method. She has worked on over 300 straw-bale buildings and founded Straw Works to focus on designing natural, healthy, straw-insulated buildings. In 2014, Barbara started the School of Natural Building to provide training and courses in sustainable construction.
