Building a Stunning Natural Straw Bale Home (Start to Finish)

'Straw Bale Dream Home' follows the building of a beautiful eco home by wonderful owner builders Adam and Sian in Victoria, Australia. It’s a stunning traditional timber frame home combining timber joinery, straw bale, and cob. And it radiates with the wholehearted love they poured into designing a sustainable home of their dreams, and then building it.
If you’ve been following us a while, you may recall that seven years ago we made a film about Adam and Sian’s first home, The Handmade House Truck. Their new forever home is even more special.
We shot this film sporadically over four years, which is a really long production run for us! Each time Jordan visited his homeland of Australia, he’d check in with Adam and Sian to catch up on the build. And the inevitable story that has developed around it.
That story included the birth of their first child alongside the unexpected death of a beloved family member. Both events weaving into the story of joy, heartache, community connection, frustration, and love that’s become as much part of the house’s structure as the straw and cob and timber.
Aside from the craftsmanship, beautiful aesthetics, and sheer naturalness of this building, we really love that it’s urban. You don’t get to see so many natural buildings in this setting. Perhaps seeing more eco homes like this created using natural building techniques will shine a light on the waste and toxic materials so prevalent today’s house construction.
This timber frame home serves as an inspiration in so many beautiful ways, as do its owner builders Adam and Sian!
This story was filmed on Gadubanud country in Victoria, Australia. We acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of this land and pay respects to Elders past, present, and emerging.
If you'd like to help support us to make more films like this one, please consider joining our Patreon community! We release regular behind-the-scenes updates and exclusive content: / happenfilms
Host a screening of this film in your community!
happenfilms.co...
Adam's Building Company Evergreen Homes
Website: evergreenhomes...
Instagram: / evergreenhomesau
Facebook: / evergreenhomesau
More about Happen Films
We make short and feature-length documentaries, all about permaculture, resilience and sustainability.
Website: happenfilms.com
Instagram: / happenfilms
Facebook: / happenfilms
Subtitles
Please get in touch if you'd like to create subtitles in your language! happenfilms.co...
Thank you!
We are forever grateful to everyone who supports us financially to make our films - we can’t do this without the regular donations we receive that range from $1 a month and make all the difference.
These awesome folk support us on Patreon: Andi Begerl, Brian Newton, Carolyn Gillum, Chris and Kristen, Dave Evans, Dennis Lange, Geoffrey Torkington, Georjette M., Greg & Rachel Hart, Jacqueline Hicks, Julian Maher, Kelle McNamara, Kelly & Peter Osmond, Kirti Patel, Lauren, Mary Conlan, Matthew Burdett, Pierre Blom, Rex & Jo, Sankar Madhavan, Teresa R., Tiitus Laine, V.J. Raghavan.
And a huge thank you to the incredible folk at Biome Trust for their generous long-term support for Happen Films.

[@graceaxisa4213]

Now! When they said they built their home, they REALLY meant it! I would be as proud as punch too! This family has built something very special indeed.

[@kemi_niko]

Man I've never cried so much in a YT video. Such beautiful souls doing such an ancient practice is just pure joy. If only it wasn't such a lucky thing to have in this crazy world. Thank you for making another great film Happen Films.

[@happenfilms]

That's so nice to hear, thank you :)

[@crikescrikes2465]

I thought I was the only viewer that cried

[@jameskniskern2261]

​@@crikescrikes2465nope!

[@mosimosi630]

Oh boy I cried too

[@markkunath8440]

Such a moving story, I cried too.

[@mosimosi630]

Absolutely incredible

[@lostmotor]

Thanks

[@ReflectionsofLife]

Beautiful guys - well done - love the house, with beautiful people. Thank you for including the emotion as well, I shed a few tears. Thank you - Michael & Justine

[@happenfilms]

Thanks guys! :)

[@lysan1445]

It's not just the build; the whole story is so wholesome. Thank you for sharing!

[@marydavis2647]

I've been a fan of Green Renaissance, now Reflections of Life, for years, since it's beginning. It is through them that I have discovered Happen Films. And now I have another beautiful way to begin my day! It is March of 2024, and I've just watched this haybale house building, and I feel warmed and inspired and spiritually nourished! Thank you. I am also wishing i were 30 years younger! I would definitely follow in their footsteps!

[@happenfilms]

Welcome to our channel! Lovely to hear you enjoyed the film :)

[@Kara_2505]

I don't have enough words to express my admiration and respect for all the crafts you used and the quality of completion. The wood working is astonishing, I love seeing mastercrafts. Wishing you the best in your own build home! And of course as always a huge thank you to Happen Films for another wonderful creation!

[@SoloXXAB]

I was teary-eyed and wept through the entire program. Touched by the deep love and togetherness of family and friends creating a future home of purity and faith. This was absolutely a blessing and a miracle from start to finish.....God bless!!!!!

[@campfire-stories]

Such a beautifully made film! And OMG the house! I passed this film on to my 16 year old, who's a budding carpenter.

[@happenfilms]

Thanks Mattias, glad you enjoyed it! Hope she finds it inspiring! 😊

[@carolewarner101]

The entire journey that brought you to building your home and the building of it are so beautiful. Such a blessing to have that special collaboration with your Dad during the build. I'm so sorry you weren't able to go home to visit him when he was sick. And...your love for one another was deep and true. Thank you for sharing your remarkable story and home with us!

[@StrawbaleHouse]

Brilliant work just loved this video and a story of love and care. It's a very very happy home and deeply loved. The workmanship is outstanding and the detailing exquisite! Congratulations to you all and keep singing!!!!!

[@happenfilms]

Thanks for the lovely feedback!

[@wildgeese5707]

My partner and I bought 12 acres right after we met so we can do a timber frame and straw or hemp-lime home for all the same reasons as y’all have. This was so grounded and inspiring and magical. Thank you so much for sharing your journey and encouraging us on our own. ❤

[@isonny2010]

I highly encourage you to reach out to Adam and Sian. Sian is an experienced permaculture practitioner and Adam is a Carpenter and builder. With these to experience combine you will have a house and land design based on permaculture design principles.

[@morgonerlenstar]

Beautiful home, and oh my the craftsmanship is stunning. This would be my dream home too. ❤ Congratulations

[@Picci25021973]

Wow! My grandpa was a renowned carpenter and I grew up in his workshop using his hand tools. The wooden frame and furniture making made me drop more than one tear. Guys, you must be proud of your achievment.

[@thelittlehomeaustralia]

Ah Adam and Sian! I love these guys, we met once at a mutual friends baby blessing many years ago and they have the best vibe =) So good to see what they're up to! Stunning van to awesome elegant home, so beautiful to see the connection to family and continuing on, Ad's papa would be so bloody proud. We've been in our tiny house living in the Strathbogies the past 5 years, close to Agari where many of you connected in I think. We're in the process of putting in planning for our little hempcrete house, we too have had support from a parent (the only way we could make it work financially too), we've bought cheap land from my partner's parents and have also lived low rent in our tiny house on their land these past years. It's amazing how creative you have to be to get out of the rental trap these days! All worth it xxx

[@jameskniskern2261]

Our strawbale home in Kentucky USA was started in 2014, and completed in Nov 2016. We did most of the work ourselves. When Adam said he loved that house, I felt I knew exactly how he feels. I love our house too. And for the same reasons.

[@RVBadlands2015]

We started our Strawbale home in California Jan 2023 and just completed it two weeks ago. It was a labor of love. And a lot of stress.

[@farmyourbackyard2023]

Beautiful. I wish they could have secured the land around them and kept it open. You can feel the earthiness of the home just in the video pictures. I bet the energy of the space is even more grounding when you are actually in the home. Simply lovely.

[@joaniekirk]

So much heart and soul in this story. Beautiful creation for your family. So satisfying to build it yourselves. I built a strawbale in 2000 in Northern New Mexico. Such a lovely home. Good on ya.

[@darrenivak4536]

I bet your dad is happier than a lark, and don't ever kid yourself❤❤ we're all proud of you❤

[@gkreyl8700]

What a lovely family, beautiful home

[@AudiobooksDimension]

Beautiful house, beautiful people, beautiful story.

[@urban9361]

Thank you all so much😀. Great heartfelt carpentry skills! Great attitudes! Lovely people! Beautifully presented and filmed! 😀❤️😀❤️

[@mikemiller7231]

This is the American dream! Free, Self sustainable with true knowledge. Just like our grandparents before us.

[@Pamalot]

I’ve watched so many DIY home builds and by far this one really resonated with my heart. Such a beautiful home, your inner strength has shown thru your outer physical home and world. Thank you so much for bringing this story out to others. Just fabulous ❤

[@exithappiness]

Magic! Thanks for lighting up my evening!

[@guardian555]

What accomplishment for you and your wife. It's a beautiful home. My wife and I want to build a straw bale house of our very own in AZ. We love timber frame homes. Listening to your stories made us a part of your life as well. According to the Law of Oneness it is certainly true. Love and peace.

[@traciemanso4092]

Thank you for sharing your beautiful real experience with those of us who can only dream of having such a journey! All the joy, pain, challenges, triumph, and ultimate legacy are a great lifetime achievement! Best wishes to all of you!

[@christiannluddington1370]

Absolutely stunningly gorgeous !!

[@manuelacacciato6729]

so beautiful and emotional! hugs from Italy

[@MrDerJohann]

Thanks you so much for the Film 👍💪

[@brettwarburton1428]

Fan bloody tastic!

[@RVBadlands2015]

We are just finishing up on our Strawbale home in California. We have a 40x160 lot we boil a 1330 sq ft house with a 840 garage. One the rains stop we’ll complete our landscaping.we are putting in a veggie/flower garden. Your home is so beautiful.

[@isha928]

How was the process of getting CA permits for the straw bale build? It sounds so lovely.

[@Dancerlil]

Beautiful home, lovely family, great filming as well. Love & blessings to one & all. Liliane

[@sephanisbetart298]

Thank you! I have now started my StrawBale Dream! Contracted a consultant/builder just today... Love yours, something to ponder as I design this winter!

[@seeksustainablejapan]

thanks for sharing another inspiring story and the beautiful natural building and living strategies - was really touched by the life vs death story of loss and birth + appreciate their honesty in sharing it - "when I die I want to come back home" is a beautiful ending

[@peadaroloughlin3270]

Thank you for making this film that shows how building your own home can be such an emotional rollercoaster from the highs of achieving each milestone and joy at the arrival of a new life to the lows of losing a loved one who contributed so much to the creation of this beautiful handmade house. It's made me nostalgic for the land of Oz and Victoria where I spent some time in the 1990s learning mudbrick and rammedearth building and visiting some of the homes featured in Owner Builder Magazine at the time. Around the same time I volunteered on the team, led by a masterbuilder from California building one of Ireland's first strawbale houses. It's interesting in this video to see how the bales were so well packed into their designated space. We placed the bales a little looser in the wall and 'on the flat' to get the most insulation possible.

[@vancamerawoman7399]

What a beautiful home. Well done Happen Films another great story done exceptionally well. Cheers, Clare

[@happenfilms]

Thanks Clare!

[@lianessyes7238]

Love this home and family. Thanks for sharing the journey, a beautiful and raw film indeed.

[@legendsxdie123]

I can't imagine the sense of pride and achievement you must feel after building your own house like this. It's definitely a legacy that lives on for generations, especially if you can keep it in the family. Imagine being able to say "my grandpa built this house in the 2020's"

[@angelikasmales465]

Beautiful house. We watched it grow and it’s a stand-out on the road into Deans Marsh.

[@happenfilms]

It’s a great feature on the main road!

[@stephenwhitworth7701]

A beautiful story told well Sian and Adam. What I loved most was that there was such a strong community of support involved but perhaps more so, that it was from my home state Victoria, and that it was a wonderful demonstration of a sustainable home. So sorry to learn of your loss Adam but I really think you and your dad made a good call; stay in place and finish the job. Sincere thanks for sharing a wonderful story.

[@allanbarger5362]

Exceptional build and beautiful craftsmanship!!! This was one of the best KZbin builds and story I've seen in a long time. Sorry for the loss of your father ❤

[@PermacultureHomestead]

another masterpiece Jordan, glad you got shots at all stages of this build, really good continuity

[@stevedill2858]

Very beautiful home. It seems like so many ideal conditions were available to bring it to completion in a spirit of gratitude and love. You were trained to build, the financing was there via family and you were able to get people to help. I have to imagine there was quite an expense but you've got a gem now. The craftsmanship really shows. The care about materials - all the wood makes it so warm - those countertops are lovely. There is a certain romance about alternative housing - the rocket stoves, the Cobb over straw bales, like returning to something built into our cells, so humble, efficient and homey. Thanks for sharing your story. Best wishes as your journey continues.

[@Tinhihi]

So special - beautiful process, house and family!

[@WTFwuzdat]

Gorgeous house!!!! What a work of art. ❤ Timber Frame, straw and cobb is the exact combination I would choose to build my home with if I could.

[@lancedaniels]

Thanks for posting and sharing. Great to see and hear about the build.

[@chriseverest4380]

Beautiful. Perfect family. Heaven.❤

[@sotto8071]

Thankyou……Thankyou……Thankyou……!!! Such a great subject to be immensely proud of - from the build to the cinematography!!! Amazing Capturing their child playing with the toy piano was gold……

[@TheBirdie11]

Bravo!!! Outstanding on every level👏🏼🙌👏🏼🙌. Really love it!!

[@craigdawson7632]

12/10 guys That floor is outstanding

[@martadavidson3223]

You guys are a beautiful family and this is my dream...wish we would all be this way....carry on...as you're opening space for the humans like us that are creating naturally and so grateful for your beautiful souls ❤❤❤loveeeeee your place built with love and friendship and oneness...all that high frequencies are in your space...✨️✨️✨️

[@BEAdventurePartners]

Wowwwwwwwwe 😮❤ this make our hearts melt! Soo inspired! Thank you for sharing this beautiful home with us! Love everything about it!

[@karenkilba2907]

Such a beautiful home and beautiful people!

[@gailaiken3310]

Fabulous. Fantastic work guys - for the house and for the film!

[@emilianomarquez1629]

I teared up a bit, I tuned in to know about a house, found out about so many lives.

[@turtle2212]

How beautiful, made me cry tears of joy.

[@ActionEcology]

Well done. It's a special thing to create your own space to live. Reminds me of the house I grew up in. I'm sure they'll have many happy years there.

[@emmetblackwell8874]

Congratulations Adam and Sian, your strawbale house is an inspiration! And another excellent job by Happen Fims!

[@happenfilms]

Thanks Emmett! 🙃💚

[@TwoOnTheTar]

Enjoyed this story of life, loss, challenges and fulfilment. Really moving, resulting in a beautiful home.

[@EddHayes]

Nicely put together. Love it. Ad mate if you a reading this, Man I recognise that denim wool jacket mate. Memories of good times. Legends. Great watch. Miss ya x Last time I watched Ad on KZbin it would have almost certainly been a "Zebedy Rays" moment!!

[@Letty1122]

Such a beautiful house, story and family. 💙

[@brettgriffiths7688]

Awesome work. These guys have certainly shown what can be achieved with collaborative work.

[@VickyOvejero-wj2wg]

Beautifull❤...congratulation....for you home....🎉❤ from Argentina...

[@sihlemiya4339]

So beautiful and inspiring. Well done and thanks to you guys.

[@AN-ep6jd]

It came out so gorgeous and cozy. Wishing your family many happy years there ❤

[@nickpearson9422]

Awesome film guys! Finally some more Aussie action!

[@EvakerstinL]

Wow so beautiful and modern. Best place to grow up fore your children to..❤love it😊

[@Sams_Uncle]

Beautiful 🏡 Home 🏠

[@Etakit]

Absolutely lovely. Thank you so much for these videos. They are truly incredible and inspiring.

[@erikpeterson25]

Awesome job !!! 👍congrats and enjoy ✌🌎.

[@thefloodtower4866]

Beautiful build for a beautiful family.

[@dineomumsylesole4259]

Wow beautiful house

[@ericasproul8395]

Wow this is amazing! 😍

[@Lisa-lz2ul]

It’s such a beautiful home. I love everything about it. What a great job

[@cameronboucher7805]

This would be close to a dream build for me. Congratulations on your achievement with this build. It’s absolutely beautiful 👏👏👏❤️

[@ElisandeWalters]

absolutely stunning results

[@a1stchoicecleaningllc28]

I have helped build a straw bile house and I just love it! Great Job!

[@dbrent4970]

I'm a huge fan of the mission, that being said, the house is stunning!

[@martind.6053]

Very nice movie, very peaceful

[@samabratachattopadhyay]

So beautiful ❤️

[@sarafina03]

This is the most beautiful home I've ever seen. What an inspiration. I want to be part of their community ❤

[@happenfilms]

The house is definitely a piece of art 🙂

[@gloadv]

Guys, you make such a good work! its just amazing and impressive !! WOW

[@pradeepgairhe1355]

Love you guys, wish my dream home like that from Nepal

[@beverleybarnes5656]

Beautiful story 😊

[@happenfilms]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@violagirl6132]

Beautiful

[@marimug]

Lovely!!!!

[@belindagulycz1590]

this is exciting!!!😍😯🙌🏻🔥

[@micksoden7064]

Well done guys, great job.many congrats.

[@r.c.3263]

Concerning the straw bale, honest question, what about running electric or pipes ? Also what about rodents living in the walls ? Or the straw molding in damp weather ?

[@tjinnes]

Beautiful.

[@btblou]

Love this, thanks for sharing, truely inspirational :)

[@ascensionwalkies]

magnificent home, so beautiful

[@nasheemashahbazi6055]

🎉amazing 👏

[@melsparkles]

So beautiful, everything about this:-)

[@joannekreutzer752]

Beautiful home!!!

[@jeff6899]

Great to see more terrific video posts from you guys ! Beautiful home. Enjoyed watching it take shape. Living proof that more sustainable homes can look terrific and can & should be more mainstream.! Cheers :)

[@StephanieJoRountree]

Beautiful!

[@leannewilliams1944]

what a beautiful story