Close-up of the Strawbale House entrance

The Straw Bale House is an octagonal 500 square-foot straw bale building that was designed and built in 1998 by Northland students with assistance from the Midwest Renewable Energy Association.

This unique structure houses the Straw Bale Energy Education Lab, a facility designed to demonstrate a building that operates entirely with renewable energy systems. It includes solar- and wind-generated electricity, hot water hydronic heating, and straw bale insulation.

Located next to the arts building, the Straw Bale House is a great place to relax, gather, and experience what it is like to be in a building that operates entirely off the grid. It is available for on- and off-campus groups to use for meetings and other activities.

Former Director of Sustainability, Kim Bro, explains that the students who built the house did an excellent job but hadn’t quite developed the awareness to operate it. “Within the first two years, the batteries were worn down so much that they froze and then wouldn’t re-charge which caused the wind tower to spin too fast and break,” says Bro. “But now, things are fixed, we have expanded our energy storage capacity and those failures were all a part of the learning process.”


Spiral Herb Garden in front of the Strawbale House

A more recent Food Project is the Herb Spiral Garden in front of the Strawbale House. Started and managed by a student and inspired by the Art Collaborations with Nature art course, this garden is almost 50 square yards of Sunflowers, Pansies, Strawberries, Oregano, Thyme, Chives, Coriander, Dill, Yarrow, Salvia, Echinacea, Rhubarb, Lovage, Marigolds and various other flowers and edibles. If you’re interested in getting involved with the garden or have any questions concerning it please contact the Strawbale Coordinator.