[Strawbale] Changing the name of Straw Bale Construction

[John Swearingen]

Well, let's see.  Conventional construction is called "stud" which is hard
to beat when most home-buying decisions are made by the wifey. Hmmmm,
perhaps "Rigid Stalk Bundle" or "Tied Stalks".  Or, on the softer side,
"Straw Pillows" or "Haystack" or even "Natural Fiber" (or "Fibre" to be
classy).

For the geeks, we could call the bales "Tenegrity Solids" instead of bales,
and then of course, there's bale bondage to be explored

Gosh, I just don't know!

John "Tie My Bundle" Swearingen


On 2/22/07, Andrew Morrison <andrew at strawbale.com> wrote:
>
> I have thought for years about a new name for straw bale construction.  In
> truth, my thoughts have been casual over that time.  I am at a turning
> point
> where I would like to invest in the depth of this group to ask the
> question:
> What is a better name for straw bale construction?
>
> You may have seen my post where I offer the feedback that many buyers are
> turned away by the name straw bale construction because of the instant
> negative images that pop into their heads.  They never bother to even
> visit
> a home for sale because of those images.  Once they see the home, they are
> usually drawn in and amazed at the beauty of the home but if they won't
> even
> come to visit, many buyers are lost.
>
> If we really want this material to move into the mainstream, which I do,
> then we have to understand how the mainstream thinks.  Most people, in my
> experience, do not want to build a house out of straw because they think
> it
> will mold, it will smell like a barn, it will grow grass, etc!  That knee
> jerk reaction is preventing many people from realizing the potential of
> this
> great building material.
>
> Consider adobe.  What a romantic name.  If I said I was building a house
> out
> of mud and straw, most people would laugh and walk away.  But if I say
> adobe, images of the Southwest immediately pop into most people's heads.
> So, what is the romance name for straw bale?  I ask that you start
> throwing
> out some options and let's see if we can agree on something new to draw in
> the millions who want what we can offer but are turned off by the name.
>
> Andrew
>
> Andrew Morrison, General Contractor
> A.C. Morrison Construction, LLC
> Specializing in Straw Bale Construction
> Andrew at StrawBale.com
> (541) 899-1818
> www.StrawBale.com A World Leader in Straw Bale Education
>
> Want answers to straw bale questions? Check out our "Straw Bale House"
> Blog
>
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>
>
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-- 
John Swearingen
Skillful Means, Inc.
Design and Construction
www.skillful-means.com