The Perry Residence: A Community-Built Timber Frame Straw Bale Home
Some projects stand out not only because of the finished product, but because of the people who helped bring them to life. The Perry Residence is one of those projects.
Designed in 2014, the Perry Residence was my first timber-frame straw-bale wrap home. Looking back, it remains a very rewarding project for me, not only because of the unique construction methods and beautiful finished spaces, but because it embodied the spirit of community that so often inspires natural building.
The project began with a foundation constructed from Rastra block, providing a durable and highly insulated base for the home. From there, a local timber framing company crafted and raised the structural frame. Photos of the timbers coming together was awesome. The exposed timber frame would ultimately become one of the defining features of the home, bringing warmth, character, and a timeless quality to the interior spaces.
Once the frame was standing, the community stepped in. Friends, family members, neighbors, and volunteers gathered to help raise the straw bales that would form the home's insulated enclosure. Straw bale construction has always appealed to me because it combines exceptional energy performance with simple, natural materials. Yet beyond the technical benefits, there is something uniquely satisfying about seeing dozens of people work together to stack bales, shape walls, and contribute their labor toward creating a home.
The bale raising became much more than a construction phase, it became a celebration. People who had never worked on a building project before found themselves learning new skills and contributing meaningful work. The energy and enthusiasm were contagious. Every wall carried with it the fingerprints of countless helping hands. There was a sense that the house was being built not just with materials, but with genuine care and intention. The resulting home reflects that spirit in a way that is difficult to describe but easy to feel when you step inside.
The heart of the home is an open kitchen and living area designed to encourage gathering and connection. Large windows fill the space with natural light throughout the day, while the exposed timber framing creates visual warmth and texture. The combination of natural materials and thoughtful proportions gives the interior a sense of comfort that feels both spacious and intimate.
At the center of the home sits a masonry stove paired with a thermal mass wall. Together, these elements serve as both functional and architectural features. During the colder months, the masonry absorbs heat and slowly releases it back into the living spaces, creating a steady and comfortable indoor environment. Rather than relying solely on conventional mechanical systems, the design embraces passive principles that work in harmony with the building itself.
Seasonal comfort was a major consideration throughout the design process. The wraparound porch plays an important role in moderating temperatures by shading the walls and windows during the summer months. The result is a home that feels naturally comfortable year-round while reducing energy demands.
Above the main living area, a loft overlooks the open space below. Designed as a craft room and study, the loft offers a quiet retreat while remaining visually connected to the activity of the home. It is a space that invites creativity, reflection, and focused work, all while enjoying views across the timber-framed interior.
One of the most satisfying aspects of the Perry Residence is how the various systems work together. The insulated straw bale walls, thermal mass, passive solar design strategies, natural daylighting, and carefully detailed timber frame create a home that is both beautiful and highly functional. None of the individual elements dominate the design. Instead, they complement one another to create a cohesive whole.
More than a decade later, the Perry Residence remains a project I am proud to have designed. It represents an important milestone in my work with natural building systems and demonstrates the possibilities that emerge when thoughtful design meets community involvement.
While the home showcases the benefits of timber framing and straw bale construction, its greatest success may be something less tangible. It stands as a reminder that building a home can be about more than creating shelter. It can be about bringing people together, sharing knowledge, fostering relationships, and creating places that reflect the values of the people who inhabit them.
The Perry Residence was my first timber-frame straw-bale wrap design, but it also became something more, a testament to craftsmanship, collaboration, and the enduring beauty of building with natural materials.
Check out some photos of our stay at the Perry Residence in the portfolio post.
