This document summarizes the crowdfunding and construction of a small, functional straw-bale house built using natural and locally sourced materials. Over 40 days, the campaign raised almost 6,000 euro from 324 participants. The house was built in two months using straw bales, clay plaster, and wood from local sources. Volunteers helped with construction, learning new skills and building community. The goal was to experiment with and teach natural building techniques.

1. Building a crowdfunded natural house

2. mech.build founders: Jan Dowgiałło & Anna Zawadzka

3. mech.build projects:mech.build projects

4. Mud brick house

5. Weronika Siwiec

6. Biohabitat Opole

7. We wanted to build a
- small
- functional
- all year
- context based
- contemporary
- open-source
straw-bale house.

8. We did it to
- make noise
- experiment
- learn
- teach
- have fun

9. 40 days campaign
324 participants
almost 6 000 euro crowdfunded
over 7 500 fb likes
almost 40 000 views on youtube
Crowdfunding campaign

10. Natural, locally sourced materials

11. Interior functionality
BATHROOM
ENTRANCE
AREA
NIGHT
ZONE
DAY
AREA

12. Summer exposition

13. Winter exposition

14. Centrally based multi-functional heater-stove

15. ESBG Event (header1)
Natural circulation

16. Wildlife observation tower function

17. Wide view opening
(landscape focused)

18. Actual view

19. Structure

20. Structure

21. Structure

22. The house we built (in two months)

23. Wall layers - exterior
Straw-bales - 45cm cut to 40cm_________________________________
studs – 14x6cm__________________________________________
laths – 6x4cm____________________________________
clay plaster with cut straw – 3-5cm_____________________
clay plaster:
70% clay; 20% horse manure; 10% cottage cheese______
exterior cladding:
daglesia wood boards - 9x2, 12x2cm;
linseed oil base and finishing _____________________

24. Foundations

25. Base

26. Walls - structure

27. Walls - filling

28. Walls - conservation

29. Walls - finishing

30. Wall layers - interior
Straw-bales - 45cm cut to 40cm________________________
studs – 6x6cm__________________________________________
clay plaster with cut straw – 3-5cm_____________________
base plaster with straw and sisal net – 2-3cm_________
finish plaster with rough sand____________________

31. Floor insulation - hempcrete

32. Floor finishing – daglesia wood boards

33. Interior walls’ materials – light clay and hempcrete

34. Interior finishing – clay plaster

35. Roof insulation – wood wool

36. Roof – daglesia wood boards

37. The community of volunteers

38. Participatory decision making

39. Learning new skills

40. Creating bonds

41. Living together

42. We want to share our experience

43. Press and awards

44. mech.build