Straw Bale Building in Japan

Wallah

Wallah, a home in Karuizawa, Nagano Prefecture, was designed by Goichi Oiwa and built by Midori Construction Company.  Kyle Holzhueter led construction of the straw bale walls and finish plastering. Construction began in May, 2011 and was completed in September 2012.

Monshido

Monshido is the new main hall of Zenryoji Buddhist Temple in Yokohama City, Kanagawa Prefecture. Monshido was designed by Goichi Oiwa and built by Miki Construction Company. Kyle Holzhueter led the construction of the straw bale walls and finish plastering. Monshido consists of straw bales surrounding a circular conventional timber frame.  The exterior of the straw bale walls are finished with earthen plaster applied directly to the bales.  The interior consists of earthen plaster applied to a bamboo lattice. The gap between the bamboo lattice and straw bales is packed with straw bundles. Construction of the straw bale walls began in October 2011 and was completed in March 2012.