Here an overview, what we did this time at the second building period from November 2004 until February 2005:

November 2004:

When we arrived, we inspected our place. The straw bales where still more or less covered and the rain created a swimming-pool at the new house.

December 2004:

The steel-frame has painted with rust-primer and be grounded. A gravel bed for the drain of the straw bale walls was constructed. Therefore treated 2 by 4 boards where fixed to the foundation and the gravel was filled-in between:

We leveled around the house, hauled the sand for plastering the walls and did all the odds and ends which where necessary to begin with the walls:

Finally we are at the straw bales and the walls. First of all a straw bale-needle has to be forged (the needle will be used to pull wire thru the bales, so they can be cut in halves). The first bales are transported to the building-site and are set.

January 2005:

Here we go, the first rows of the straw bales are done. The first window-frame is put together and set in place. It's coming !!!

The straw has to be sprayed before the plastering. Irons poles are set and adjusted for the straw bales, so the bales are set straight and in line for the walls. 

February 2005:

We are coming along. The walls are set and plastered. Till end of February all the walls are up and plastered from the outside. The window frames are closed, the walls are covered and everything is protected. The house is shut until the next working period.