Mike Harris and Jo Lewis

LMN29

INSPIRATION

We were interested in 'the good life' and had grown vegetables in London but knew we could never afford land in that part of the world - hence arriving in Leitrim! From reading Permaculture magazine had become interested in alternative building methods and we were both very taken by the straw bale buildings in Athena and Bill Steen's 'The Straw Bale House' book. Before leaving London, Mike completed a straw bale course with Barbara Jones of Amazon Nails - one of the pioneers of straw bale building in Europe. The initial thought was for a new build near the existing cottage - probably timber frame with straw bale infill, but the site occupied by the cottage was the nicest on the land and was tucked under the hillside to protect it from the prevailing winds. We briefly considered knocking down the cottage but couldn't face destroying the heritage and history of the place so we opted for the lengthier and costlier route of extending the cottage via sustainable methods.

We were fortunate to find Colin Bell to be our architect and he was excellent at working with our needs and the ideas we had already come up with and finding ways of solving the intricasies of construction. He was also the main inspiration for the form of the kitchen and living room which constitute the main activity area of the house.

TYPE OF HOUSE

Traditional three-roomed cottage with hybrid timber frame and straw bale extension.

POINT OF INTEREST

ECO ELEMENTS

Locally sourced materials
Minimal use of concrete and oil based products
Green roof
Humanure compost toilet
Wood heating
Vegatable garden and polytunnel
Soft fruit area and top fruit trees

CREATIVE ELEMENTS

Good creative cooperation between Mike and Jo and Colin Bell brought individual touches to the design. Curved wall and stepped windows gives the kitchen an unusual array of natural light.
Natutal lime render gives continuation of finish from existing stone cottage to new straw bale walls.