Article 9: Filling with straw: first attempt

On 31 October, we really get going: the first straw walls. First, the press has to be set up: a structure that lets us build the walls straight, with a kind of bracket to put the walls under compression. We use straps to do the bulk of the compression, then finish off precisely with small hydraulic jacks.

To compress properly, we use one strap on one side and another opposite it. Otherwise the wall goes crooked.

We build the first wall with the help of Marco and Bastien. It is a bit chaotic at the start, while we find the right way to do it. But once you have the method, it comes together.

Sign-off

The next day, Peter Braun, our civil engineer, comes to see our work. He approves the concept! We can finish the first wall and store it in the barn, ready for later assembly. “Everything is going smoothly, I can sleep easy,” is what he tells me.

Improving the system

A few changes need to be made to the press. We are going to lower it a little, which will make it easier to lower the walls once they are filled. Also, we had fitted the jacks upside down, which turned out to be a bad idea. They work just as well the right way up, and even better. They will have to be placed by hand each time, but that is still much less hassle than having them upside down.