New Zealand author Jillian Sullivan has built her own straw bale home in Central Otago. She had long dreamed about building her own home. When her situation changed dramatically a couple of years ago – her marriage ended, the last of her five children left home – Jillian decided the time was right to find somewhere new to live. After living for 30 years in Motueka, New Zealand author Jillian Sullivan moved to Central Otago and built a straw bale house.
Kathryn Ryan, Radio NZ
Jillian was interviewed recently on Radio NZ National on building the straw bale house, and how to carry on when all things fall apart.
“Since the interview I’ve heard from strangers who want to build a straw bale house or who recognized the poignancy in that moment of your life when all your children have left home and a new way begins.”
Listen to the full podcast below:
A summer building a straw bale house: here’s the piece I wrote for The Dominion Post in Wellington for their Memorable Summer series. Maybe a reader out there will follow the path. http://www.stuff.co.nz/dominion-post/capital-life/9599010/A-labour-of-love
The short video clips, made by Declan Wong, are:
Beginning of house and straw
2nd stage with mud
Teaching clip with Sven Johnston showing us how it’s done (mudding)
Images of the house and the building stages
The nearly finished house baking in the Ida Valley sun
Special thanks to my son-in-law Sam Deavoll
Sam and Jillian Sullivan after they finished building the trusses. Photo by Brian Turner.
Pat and Sam giving a pep talk to the team
Sam and Pat Shuker give the pep talk to the crew on straw bale-raising day.
Jillian working on her house
Jillian working on the pad for the house. Photo by Sam Deavoll
The house with bales in the walls
The house with bales in the walls
Family mud plastering day
Family mud plastering day
The house survived the Winter!
The house in the big snow last winter. Photo by Declan Wong
For media inquiries and to connect with Jillian Sullivan, please email jillian@jilliansullivan.co.nz or connect with her on Facebook – Jillian Sullivan – NZ Author
Nice work!
Thanks!
Love it! I’d be very interested in what the total cost for your house was. My partner and I are looking at building with straw bales near Auckland.
Thx,
Lachlan
Send me an email Lachlan, I’m happy to share stories 🙂 jillian@jilliansullivan.co.nz
http://gemmayates.blogspot.co.nz/2015/03/blue-sky-thinking_24.html?m=1
My inspired poem from staying with Jillian in the straw-bale house 😀
hi I was wondering who did you get to draw your plans ? . I am building a house just outside of gore and need someone .
Just learned about your DIY green house and felt an instant kinship since I am two years plus into DIYing our energy neutral home near St Louis, MO. We were inspired early on by a visit to a straw bale house near Spokane, WA that featured the same passive solar design that we are using to eliminate conventional HVAC, called Annualized GeoSolar. Unlike the typical solar gain through windows in the winter, AGS captures the energy from the summer sun for both winter heating and summer cooling.
I have just ordered your beautifully written book from Potton about your strawbale house and read it practically cover to cover. It is a brilliant piece of wordsmithing. Thank you for giving me renewed hope in the fabric of New Zealand. I have just returned to New Zealand from 20 years abroad…
nice work, guys
Your love, love of beauty, simplicity, divinity with your humbled heart knowing nothing but a great trust in wisdom and always facing the light even when it’s dark.
Just like a child’s joys of golden era, simply divine..