The Nowochin family is fending off the cold of winter and summer’s heat too in their home made of straw.
Janice and Dale Nowochin’s unique home on the outskirts of Slave Lake seems fitting enough for the pastoral area north of the mills at Mitsue.
The house is surrounded by grazing horse and cattle, which might otherwise be a concern if the home weren’t covered in a thick layer of smooth plaster. Just how the Nowochins came to live in a straw bale home is serendipitous.
The Nowochins moved to Slave Lake from Westaskiwin about 12 years ago, where Dale’s family owned a farm.
A former oil worker, Dale drove past the house almost daily on his way to the patch. The daily commute allowed him to view the progress as the original owners developed the land. When the Nowochins heard that the homestead might be for sale, they decided to investigate further.
You see, both Dale and Janice like to farm. Dale is also a heavy duty mechanic. When it was learned that the property was zoned for industrial use, it’s safe to say that the ducks were lining up nicely for the Nowochins.
An added benefit, as most men will attest too, is the idea of a unique, half finished project home. Just move in and start tinkering!
The Nowochin’s home is made of straw from flax, a naturally pest-resistant fibre known for its durability. Custom made laminated beams kept the floor plan open across the approximately 1500 square feet of living space. Under foot, heated concrete floors keep the ambient temperature just right.
It’s hard to escape the New Mexican feel of a straw bale home. With walls over a foot thick, and soft plastered corners, even a rectangular layout takes on a more organic, rounded feel. If it weren’t for the several feet of snow over the property, you could mistake your visit for that of a home on the mesa. The deep window wells and doorways make for an even light in the home, which Janice thinks could be a bit brighter still.
“We are thinking of installing a solar vent,” says Janice. Pointing to the center of the ceiling she points out that the roof was designed to support equipment including water solar gear.
A common misconception, says Janice, is that rodents might find their home delicious and cosy, but it’s just that; a misconception. “Mice and insects don’t really like the flax. It’s made of sharp scales. The only mice we have seen have come through the door!” Not unusual for a rural area in any case.
And, construction of straw bale is remarkably economical. Janice figures the house was constructed for around $1.40 per square foot. Typical stick frame construction costs are usually over three dollars per, and rising.
Besides that, straw bale construction kills two construction birds with one stone; once erected, the walls contain all the insulation and structural support required; R values for insulation can exceed R80!
And, another nice thing about a straw bale home built by a previous owner? The Nowochins didn’t have to worry about insurance issues. Evidently, the family who built the home had some issues with initial mortgaging, but that’s all been sorted out.
Like any pioneers, it took some struggle to get the project accepted. Since that time, the methodology of building with straw has become more popular, and recognized.
With all the tech talk of late, sometimes the most important elements of alternative architecture and power systems become lost in the translation. That is, when a house becomes more than the sum of its parts; when a simple structure becomes a home.
Perhaps more than in any other construction type, living in a straw bale home provides the calm, quiet and cozy attributes we all look for in a home. At the end of the day, says Janice, “We’re very happy here.”
The Nowochins are throwing open their doors to the public for tours during the Home Energy Alternatives Tradeshow, March 1 and 2. Call 849-8623 for more information.

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