Borg/Hewitt Residence

Willow Creek Higlands, Wolcott, Eagle County, CO

The Borg/Hewitt Residence is an example of what can be acomplished when combining a large scale residence and straw bale construction. With two stories and a lookout, this is hardly a typical straw bale house. The post and beam construction allows for the upper story along with adding an aesthetic appeal on the interior. Exposed beams are running throughout.
In addition to the aesthetic appeal of straw bale construction, the safety and green aspects of this type of building supercede typical construction practices. The bales are compressed thouroughly, not allowing for any air pockets that would facilitate air transfer or burning. Therefore, the fire protection rating for straw bale homes is very high. And typically, with walls being 18" thick, the insulation values are as high or higher than any traditional wood framed structure. Straw is also a highly renewable resource.
The color scheme used for the exterior stucco and metal roofing emulate the surroundings. This high plains desert environment is home to sandy colors of the native grasses and the burnt red hue of the sandstone encompassing the area. This color scheme brings the Borg/Hewitt Residence full circle with it's native site.