Small, efficient, Straw Bale houses can be affordable, inspiriting to build and Live in, good for you and good for the planet. Arayasun is currently developing E.C.H.O. (Economically Conscious Home Options). A series of small straw bale house plans designed around pure efficiency. These small, beautiful Straw bale designs use simple and effective construction techniques to create a strong, durable and economically practical home.

All of these small Turnkey homes are designed to be expandable, to grow easily as the need should arise. We integrate plumbing efficiency and renewable energy systems to cut cost and waste.

All homes are passive solar and super insulated for natural low to no cost heating and cooling. This combined with natural lighting and ventilation systems makes for a very comfortable healthy indoor environment with low operating cost. Our goal is to make green building a affordable standard for anyone.

Simply green simply beautiful!

Whats included:
(click or right click on plan below for PDF document with more details)

 ECHO 1  |    ECHO 2  |   ECHO 3

E.C.H.O. Homes are Built to E-Star and LEED Standards with a Two Year Builder Warranty! Home Plan Prices Start at $ 115.00/sq. ft. for Living Area and $56.00/sq. ft. for Garage Space

Prices subject to change, do not include land or off site cost

Each E.C.H.O. Home Package includes:

A Complete set of plans

Plan Change Options included in sq. ft. price are
*moving windows and doors
*mirrored floor plans
*changes that will not affect the structural plans

Plan Change Options with extra charges:
Adding or upgrading windows and doors*
Adding or enlarging bath fixtures*
Enlarging or adding decks*
Upgrading of materials, flooring, counter-tops, cabinets, appliances, electrical, plumbing fixtures, heating systems, and plaster finishes.

All permits required for building the home

All Site Work, and Complete Foundation

Site:Site Analysis, Site Preparation, and Driveway Installation (25’linft/12’ wide, 3”Base w ¾” Finish Gravel*)

Utilities:
Included in Sq. ft. price: 25’ linear ft. of, Water, Sewer, Gas, Electric Lines (Secondary Line)

Not included in Sq. Ft. price: Septic, Well/Cistern Water Systems, and Connections or Impact Fees by Utility Companies or public officials.
P.V. and Hydronic Systems are priced based on consumption and need.

Foundation:
Stem walls and footers are built with Insulated R-10 Foam Block and are used with 5,000 PSI concrete. The slab is a Taylor made monolithic slab with in floor heat. To the south is 12 inches of adobe floor in the thermal area. Garage floors are 4” thick using 5,000 PSI concrete with reinforced rebar in slab.  All concrete installed as per plans and specifications, UBC code or better.

 

Strawbale Exterior Walls, Ceilings and Floors:

Our 14” Exterior Bale Walls are constructed with a unique hybrid post and beam compression system, using Doug fir or better with a solid 10x12 box beam. The exterior walls are then prepped for 1st coat of earth. Our unique way of building has an advantage over traditional insulation protocol. The bale walls are insulated at an r-50 or better. The interior exterior earthen plaster ads an incredible k factor (thermal mass) for the slow release of hot and cold from your walls.

Sub Flooring: where needed engineered Joist System or equal, with ¾” CDX Plywood sub-floor.

Ceilings: beetle kill pine t & g naturally sealed with a r45 cellulose fire retardant insulation.

Windows:  R-3, Double Pane, Low E, (no low-E in passive gain areas) thermo pane sliding welded vinyl windows.

Exterior Doors & Trim: Doors are Metal Insulated, paint grade thermatrue four raised panel with upper window.

Garage Door: 16’x7’ four panel, raised metal insulated, automatic overhead garage door & opener

Roofing & Facia: 5/8” CDX Exterior Plywood Sheeting, Total roof coverage with Water and Ice Guard. Metal roofing (your color choice) and drip edge 29 gauge Pro Panel, or equal. Exposed saufet, with custom carved tails.

Heating System: 500linft of in floor radiant heating with 2 zones.

Plumbing and Fixtures: Moen faucets, or equal, Sinks (Kitchen and Baths), On-Demand hot water heater, with back up 82 gallon back up water storage tank, copper piping, (1) whole house filter, a one piece fiberglass tub-shower, super insulated plumbing pipes, and exterior hose bibs.

Electric and Fixtures: E Star fixtures including ceiling fans. Placement of outlets and fixtures, indoor and out as per code and plans and specifications. Phone and cable placed in two locations.

Mechanical Room: Separate Room that houses all mechanical, with exterior drain, and slab with in floor heat

Exterior Earthen Plasters: 2 coats earth with color lime wash sealer, Colors of your choice( up to 3 colors), or you can upgrade to 1 coat earth, 2 coats lime plaster with color lime wash finish.

Decks: Low Maintenance Trex, or equal. Decks and rails are included as per plan.

Cabinets: Maple Cabinets, or thermafoil paint ready or equal throughout Kitchen, Bath, Laundry Room. Upgrades Available

Countertops: Custom made Countertops, Ceramic Tile or Laminate with back splash. Upgrades Available

Ceramic Tile: kitchen, bath, and hallways are 12”x12”Ceramic Tile where indicated on plans.

Flooring: low VOC Carpet and pad or acid wash concrete in bedrooms, and 12 inches of adobe floors in the thermal areas, Tile in kitchen, hall, and bath as specified on plans.

Interior Doors-Carpentry: Interior doors 3/8” hollow core raised panel or equal. Single shelf with bar in closets.

Wardrobe Closet Doors: Your choice of mirrored w/finish, or wood.

Interior trim: very little trim is needed in a straw bale were required is hand hewn pine or spruce.

Door finish Hardware: Door hardware Schlage, or equal.

Interior Finishes; 2 coats of earthen plaster with Clay Aliz paint (brilliant colors). Gypsum plaster in bathrooms.

Finish Hardware Package: Towel bars, toilet paper holders in bathrooms, as per plans.
Appliances: Sears E-Star Kenmore or equal, refrigerator, sealed burner gas range/hood, dishwasher option, and garbage disposal.