Project Updates

Semmes and Company’s Solar Energy division, Semmes Solar, is currently installing photovoltaic panels on this strawbale home in Atascadero as the project is nearing completion. Maximum state rebates are obtained during the house contruction from the New Solar Homes Partnership program. 

The summer has hit and this house is staying incredibly cool inside thanks to the use of straw bale, high insulation and plenty of thermal mass. This home was also built with the use of our ‘Mobile Solar’, solar powered generator keeping electric bills low now and into the future.

Here are before and after shots of the simple detailing that goes into the finishing of the interior of a straw bale home. The lines are soft and warm as is the feeling of the house upon completion. The floor is stained concrete, some paint and furniture and this room is ready to move into.

After a long rainy winter this strawbale is ready for plaster. Doors and windows as well as all the mechanical are installed.

Note the shelving on the right side, it is recycled lumber from the historic Wineman Hotel renovation. This material was originally milled over 100 years ago and has been brought new life as finish material for this project. Imagine if you will the plaster along the straw wall running right through, between the shelves the continuing along the back wall as opposed to standard built in book cases.