Today we speak with one of our partners Raimondas Bružas – head of the construction company Kruna which is our great supporter in Lithuania, as well as the pioneering building advocate for the straw panel techniques. Raimondas not just a great builder, but also the author of the book “Straw Bale Building REDEFINED” which has just been published this month. We are proud to be one of the first hand readers and we took the chance to ask a couple of questions to Raimondas on his professional journey in our blog series “Voices of innovations: shaping the future of construction”.
Kateryna Pylypchuk: Your journey in construction started with a passion for sustainable building. What first inspired you to explore straw bale and straw panel construction, and how has this material shaped your work over the years?
Raimondas Bružas: The first straw bale house I built was for my family and me, and we’ve been living in it ever since. My first exposure to the idea of building my own straw bale home came while I was working as an intern modeling plastic prefabricated domes in Hyderabad, India. Although straw bale or straw panel construction isn’t common in India, being there made me intuitively crave a more peaceful life and cleaner air. This inner desire led me to pursue the idea of building a straw bale house because it sparked a deep sense of well-being in me.
Our family has now lived in this straw bale house for over a decade. My wife, Dovilė, and I frequently remind ourselves what a great decision it was to build such a home. When I was halfway through building it — using my own hands, by the way — I received an inquiry from a family asking if I could build a similar house for them. It was at that moment I realized I had to choose between becoming a straw bale builder or following a different professional path. The decision was quick and simple. Ever since, my team and I have built several dozen straw bale and straw panel structures.
Kateryna Pylypchuk: You’ve moved from being a hands-on contractor to an author and advocate for straw construction. Was there a defining moment or experience that made you realize straw could play a pivotal role in modern building practices?
Raimondas Bružas: The motivation for writing my first book on straw bale construction — the earlier one in Lithuanian, not the current English version — was purely practical. At the time, I noticed a genuine public interest in this type of construction but a vivid lack of available information. During the winter months, I compiled all the relevant knowledge I had, which I now view as somewhat limited, into a book. Half a year before the book was printed, I had no idea I would become an author.
The English book, Straw Bale Building Redefined, which is completely different from the Lithuanian one, was a more deliberate attempt to introduce myself to a global audience, and the writing process took much longer. I’ve worked as a building contractor specializing in straw bale and panel construction for over a decade. During this time, I’ve observed a significant increase in public interest in these building techniques, and I’m striving to be objective in this assessment.
After seeing many high-quality modern straw panel homes, both built by others and by myself, I’m confident that panelized solutions will continue to gain public awareness, resulting in a growing number of such homes being built.
Kateryna Pylypchuk: For someone with a background in civil engineering, how did straw building challenge and perhaps even transform your understanding of construction and materials?
Raimondas Bružas: Before I became a straw bale building enthusiast and later a professional builder, I spent a few years working as a clerk of works on a construction site where a large multistory concrete and masonry structure was being built. Over time, this experience — which, looking back, I don’t view as particularly pleasant — began to shape my worldview. I noticed that wooden structures, or buildings featuring wooden elements, attracted me far more than concrete or masonry ones.
The civil engineering program I completed had three specializations, one of which was the structural design of timber structures, and that’s what I chose to pursue. Objectively speaking, timber, concrete/masonry, and steel structures each have their own pros and cons. It’s more about where your heart leans from the very beginning.
Kateryna Pylypchuk: As someone who’s experienced every phase of construction—planning, design, building, and maintenance—what makes straw particularly effective and unique at every stage of a building’s life cycle?
Raimondas Bružas: In answering this, I might not be entirely objective. I don’t have much firsthand experience with planning and designing other types of buildings besides straw bale or straw panel ones. However, I can say with certainty that the planning and design phases for straw homes are uniquely intense, sparking exceptional curiosity and dedication from both homeowners and designers. Most architects and designers feel proud when given the opportunity to design such a house, while homeowners take pride in the fact that they’ll own and live in one. As a result, the planning and design process becomes truly uplifting, and in my opinion, that’s exactly how it should be.
Building a straw bale or panel house can also be an inspiring experience for contractors for similar reasons. It’s hard to fully capture the feeling in words, but if you ever watch the installation of straw panels on a sunny day, you’ll understand where your heart lies when it comes to choosing the right materials for your home.
Properly built straw homes are no less durable than other types of structures. They don’t require any special maintenance beyond what’s needed for a regular residential home. There are straw bale houses in the world that have surpassed the hundred-year mark and are still fully functional. And when it comes to demolishing a house at the end of its life cycle — something people rarely consider these days — straw buildings are far more environmentally friendly. The materials can be reused or recycled with minimal negative impact on nature.
Kateryna Pylypchuk: Working as a contractor and consultant gave you firsthand insight into the strengths and limitations of straw as a building material. How did your experience shape your approach to construction, and what was most surprising about working with straw panels?
Raimondas Bružas: Most of our individual experiences are shaped by the narratives that surround us. When it comes to reality, we can never truly know, for example, the long-term impact of choosing one material over another to build our homes. Yet, I’ve become increasingly convinced that straw, as a building material, fits seamlessly into the narrative of sustainable housing. It’s hard to deny the benefits that straw panels bring to modern construction practices. While straw may not be suitable for every application, it certainly deserves attention as a viable alternative to conventional insulation materials.
When you examine the composition and mechanical properties of straw and place this understanding in the broader context of sustainable building, you begin to appreciate nature’s brilliance as an engineer. Straw is abundant, widely available, costs next to nothing, and has been tested in various climates. To overlook its potential in modern building practices would be a mistake.
Kateryna Pylypchuk: You’ve seen straw panels become an integral part of Kruna’s construction projects. How do they enhance the workflow for constructors and builders, and what practical benefits do they bring to the job site in terms of efficiency and sustainability?
Raimondas Bružas: Currently, the design phase for building a straw panel house is somewhat more complex than that of a typical frame house. This is primarily due to the limited number of architects, structural designers, and contractors who specialize in straw panel construction. However, I’ve noticed a significant increase in interest from architects and engineers in recent years. For our team, as contractors, panelized solutions for straw walls have greatly improved speed, efficiency, and overall job satisfaction on-site. That said, the planning and design phase still requires improvement to boost efficiency. The growing number of straw panel manufacturers is a clear indication that this type of construction is here to stay.
Kateryna Pylypchuk: Straw might not be the first material that comes to mind for many. What would you say to architects and engineers who are skeptical or unfamiliar with straw as a construction material, and how does it stand up to other more conventional materials?
The reluctance of architects and engineers to embrace this material primarily stems from a lack of knowledge. This is completely understandable, as we all tend to react cautiously when confronted with something new. I’ve never met or heard of an architect or engineer who tried designing a straw bale or straw panel home and didn’t like it. In fact, I personally know architects and structural designers who needed some encouragement to design their first straw house, but once they did, they were fully committed.
Raimondas Bružas: I’m aware of the challenges, such as the shortage of trained designers and the reluctance or even negative comments from some about using straw as a building material. However, I don’t dwell on these obstacles. Over time, I’m confident that some of these critics will join us as designers and builders of straw structures. On my part, I do what I can to raise awareness. That’s the purpose of my latest book.
Kateryna Pylypchuk: For landowners or families who are considering building with straw, how do straw panels provide a balance between affordability, comfort, and durability? What kind of lifestyle benefits can they expect?
Raimondas Bružas: Explaining all the benefits of straw and clay plaster, as well as their impact on the environment and personal well-being, would require an entire interview. However, it’s worth noting that the internet is filled with information about straw’s role in sequestering carbon, its affordability, renewability, and functionality as a building material. Clay plaster, when used on interior walls, offers a range of health benefits.
Panelized solutions offer these advantages in a structured, easy-to-use format. You simply need to find skilled designers and builders, order the panels, and have them installed. Typically, straw panels and their installation make up 10-15 percent of the total construction budget. Even if straw panels cost a homeowner 20-30 percent more than a comparable framed wall insulated with conventional materials, the difference in the overall budget is minimal, just a few percent, if any. Affordability, in my view, is not a major concern.
I’ve lived in a straw house for over a decade and wouldn’t consider any other type of home if I were to build again. I just love how it feels. In fact, I’ve had clients who were initially undecided but, after visiting my home, chose to move forward with building their own straw panel house. Straw walls plastered with clay, as confirmed by science, provide benefits for the interior climate, improving the well being of the inhabitants.
Kateryna Pylypchuk: Sustainability is a growing trend, and more people are looking for ways to build greener homes. How does straw construction not only meet but exceed these sustainable living expectations, especially in terms of health and indoor climate?
Raimondas Bružas: For those unfamiliar with the properties of certain building materials, their life cycle, availability, and other practical nuances, expectations can sometimes be high—even unrealistic, especially in relation to their budget. In such cases, exceeding expectations may be out of reach. On the other hand, an informed landowner is more likely to have realistic, measured expectations, which can indeed be exceeded when building with straw panels.
My advice to anyone considering building a straw house is to get informed, at least to some extent. Reading books and doing online research is a great way to start.
The indoor climate in a well-built straw panel home with clay plaster is superior to that of buildings constructed mostly with synthetic materials. However, this doesn’t mean you can forgot proper ventilation, as some may believe. With good ventilation and quality construction, you can absolutely expect a healthy interior microclimate.
Kateryna Pylypchuk: Students and young professionals are often seeking new, innovative materials to explore. What advice would you give to those who want to dive into the world of straw construction, and what potential do you see for them to bring fresh ideas to the field?
Raimondas Bružas: The best advice I can offer is this: pursue professionalism in this field. If you truly become knowledgeable, you’ll be in high demand.
Modern straw bale and straw panel construction techniques are emerging as attractive alternatives to conventional building methods, and it’s likely that the pace of technological advancement in this area will accelerate. Young professionals in architecture, structural design, engineering, contracting, and various building trades are more than welcome to join this rapidly growing community of straw builders.
Kateryna Pylypchuk: Your book, “Straw Bale Building Redefined,” offers a unique and comprehensive look at straw construction. What motivated you to take all of your hands-on experience and insights and put them into a guide for others?
Raimondas Bružas: I believe it’s a natural progression for any specialist to reach a point where they feel they have something valuable to share. Over the past decade, I’ve had the opportunity to observe and participate in this market, gaining experience and knowledge that may benefit others. Every method and technique I present in the book has been tested in the field, and I can confidently say they work. My goal was to share only what I have personally discovered and can verify as accurate.
The double-stud wall framing technique, which is also used in most types of straw panel design and construction, is not a universal method for building straw homes. However, I believe it offers certain advantages over other approaches, such as post-and-beam, single-stud, or load-bearing/frameless techniques. Since I’ve used the double-stud method extensively in my own projects, it naturally became the dominant focus of my book.
While I believe other methods for building straw-insulated walls can achieve great results, I also think the double-stud technique has the potential to become the dominant building approach.
In my book, I also provide information on how to construct floor and roof structures insulated with straw, using both on-site and panelized methods. This type of information is not often covered in other books on straw bale or straw panel construction.
Kateryna Pylypchuk: For those reading your book, whether they’re architects, builders, landowners, or students, what key message or piece of wisdom do you hope they walk away with as they consider straw for their future projects?
Raimondas Bružas: Since this isn’t my first book (I wrote one in Lithuanian seven years ago), I have a good understanding of the impact it can have on different readers. Some people read to explore unusual building materials and unconventional construction methods. Others are looking for practical knowledge to apply in building their own homes—and some of them actually do. Then there are architects, builders, engineers, and tradespeople who read to stay informed with the latest techniques and have a reference when needed. All these types of readers are important in helping popularize straw bale and straw panel construction.
I like to joke that, after years as a builder, I haven’t learned how to build the perfect straw bale or panel house, but I’ve definitely learned plenty of ways not to build one. I understand that no building method is perfect, and neither are the sources that describe them. I want to stay humble about that.
Still, I believe my book can be a valuable resource for architects, landowners, engineers, and students who see the potential in building with straw.
YOU CAN FIND THE BOOK OF RAIMONDAS BRUŽAS BY THIS LINK!
