Language tutor starts work on dream home
Bungalow will be built with 400 straw bales
Published:
A LANGUAGE tutor has started work on his north-east countryside dream home, which will be made of straw.
Environment champion Jonny Barton will need 400 bales to construct his 45ft by 15ft bungalow near Aberchirder. He won planning consent for the dwelling three years ago and has begun putting in the foundations.
Mr Barton, 37, plans the construction largely as a self-build project and hopes his new home will be completed before the end of the year.
He believes the house can be built for about £20,000, which would represent a big saving on a conventional bungalow.
He said: “I am keeping a note of all the costs so I can say what was cheaper or more expensive than a conventional build. Although it is self-build, I am getting a lot of help and I will need to employ people like electricians and plumbers.”
His house is taking shape at Apple Croft, near Aberchirder, and is influenced by American straw homes.
Mr Barton is involved in talks to get the necessary straw from local farmers and has made arrangements for timber frames for the windows.
The bales, which must be dry, will be stitched together with wooden spikes.
Mr Barton is currently living in a caravan at Apple Croft until his one-bedroom bungalow is ready.
