Self build offgrid strawbale house in Scotland

[JohnMo]

6 minutes ago, JAPro said:

Hi all 

I'm on east coast of Scotland and keen on a self built strawbale house but getting stuck on how to obtain a building warrant pass.  I can only find systemised versions rather than true strawbale.  Would love advice and even better to see see details of a successful warrant! Thanks 

In Scotland to get a building warrant you need a structural design certificate that covers the whole build (or all the structural calculations and pay to have them reviewed) and an as designed SAP EPC. If you both those boxes ticked how you actually build isn't really that relevant, is my take on the system.

 

So would suspect getting an architect and structural engineer that understands the build system, is the challenge, not the warrant.

[JAPro]

Thanks JohnMo, from trying to find an architect to submit a design the biggest issue seems to be demonstrating/proving fire safety as no one has demonstrated a strawbale system under eligible test conditions.  If anyone knows an architect who has completed a successful warrant application I would be keen to chat. 

[JAPro]

*to clarify, I'm referring to standard strawbales rather than a proprietary system such as straw filled cassettes etc.

[JohnMo]

Is it worth the hassle building from straw bales? The walls of the building are pretty cheap no matter how you build them especially if you are doing most the work yourself.

 

Why not a more conventional system? 

[Pord67]

Been a while and I was just randomly passing through when I noticed a few recent posts on this thread. Current update is we gained our Completion Cert in July (almost exactly 10 years to the day since buying the land), and the interior is nearing completion with just the kitchen to finish.  Fully offgrid, we haven't paid a utility bill in 9 years. Living our dream and still pinching myself, tbh.