Straw Bale Meets Raw Timber: Building Regeneratively in Idaho

As mass timber and engineered lumber dominate today’s headlines for their carbon-cutting potential, another, much older method is quietly making a regenerative comeback: building with raw, unmilled trees.

We had the opportunity to bring this approach to life on a recent project in Victor, Idaho. Working with a visionary client, we helped construct a straw bale home framed with whole trees, harvested from within 75 miles of the site. This project combines two powerful natural building methods - whole-tree timber framing and straw bale construction - to challenge assumptions about sustainability, beauty, and cost.

Why Whole Trees and Straw Bale?

Straw bale construction drastically reduces embodied carbon, requires no glues or resins, and offers incredible insulation performance. Paired with raw, unmilled trees with naturally branching forks and whole trunks, this method reduces wood waste by up to 30–40%, according to Architect Magazine.

By leaning into the natural strength of fibers in straw and timber, we bypass energy-intensive processing, support regional materials economies, and add a level of character and strength that’s impossible to replicate with industrial materials.

RBS played a key role in coordinating the integration of the straw bale walls with the irregular timber frame. We supported the structural engineering process, advised on foundation and infill detailing, and helped sequence the envelope construction for better performance and efficiency. Our team also oversaw quality control, ensuring strong connections between framing and bales and delivering a breathable plaster finish tailored to the unique geometry of the structure.

So why don’t more people build this way? In many cases, it’s simply a matter of unfamiliarity. But this project proves that it’s accessible, affordable, and worth doing, especially with a team that understands both the challenges and the opportunities of regenerative methods.

michael netzer’s material cost comparison and carbon emissions of a typical home completed via BEAM carbon calculator.

Project Spotlight: Interview with Michael Netzer 

Intro and Inspo

Michael Netzer, the homeowner, had long envisioned building with local, raw materials. With a background in forestry and ecology, he never understood why structurally sound, low-value timber was being overlooked. After facing resistance from builders in Colorado, Michael moved to Idaho, where he discovered Roald Gundersen, a Wisconsin architect and founder of Whole Trees Structures.

With Gundersen's encouragement, Michael connected with Jennifer Anthony of Fearless Engineers, who helped bring the unmilled timber frame to life. Michael also worked with RBS to support alternative engineering strategies for the framing system balancing code requirements with a custom, material-efficient approach. By prioritizing the client’s goals over standardized framing assemblies, the team was able to create a more responsive, low-impact structure.

The result is a home that tells the story of its landscape while challenging what we think homes should look and feel like.

Surpassing Expectations

Integrating straw bales came naturally. Its flexibility worked beautifully with the curved geometry of whole trees, and it opened the door for natural finishes in place of standard drywall. The materials rooted the project deeply in its place.

RBS was engaged as a subcontractor to assist with straw bale installation and plastering, working alongside the owner and training on-site crews. Our involvement helped ensure wall assemblies were breathable, well-detailed, and aligned with the structural geometry. We also helped source natural and regional materials, and advised on cost-saving strategies that still met performance goals.

Perhaps most striking is the cost ($200 per square foot) beating many conventionally built homes in the region. This is proof that regenerative design can be cost-effective and elegant.

The strawbale construction applied to the exterior of raw timber framing uses plaster to ensure breathability of the wall.

Lessons Learned

This project was not fast, but it was thoughtful. It took 1.5 years to move from vision to reality, largely because the materials dictated the design rather than the other way around.

Michael notes that when you let the material guide the process, everything changes from assembly timelines to spatial design. Few builders were willing to take on the challenge, but with persistence, a non-standard idea became a livable, code-compliant home. Innovation is welcome in Teton County as long as you have an engineered plan.

The RBS team helped navigate these challenges by bridging design intent and buildability by working with the engineer to consider alternatives to standard overengineered wall systems and bringing field experience to help reduce both cost and environmental impact.

Words of Wisdom

Michael wants others to know that you can absolutely do this.

His advice? “Don’t believe the naysayers in the building world.”

Yes, it’s harder to find a builder who’s willing to be your GC, but that doesn’t mean the vision isn’t possible. With determination and the right team, natural building becomes not only achievable but deeply rewarding.

Why it Matters

The building industry is at a tipping point. Many talk about sustainability, but few deliver. This project proves that regenerative construction is within reach when we use what’s local, available, and proven by nature.

Regenerative Building Solutions is proud to have contributed to this effort—from technical consulting and engineering coordination to hands-on straw bale assembly and plaster application. We believe that every project is a chance to do better—with fewer materials, more intention, and deeper connection to place.

If you’re curious about how to integrate these techniques into your next project, contact Lindsey Love at Regenerative Building Solutions. With over 20 years of architectural and trades experience, Lindsey brings expertise in Living Building Challenge principles, Passive House strategies, and natural systems including straw, clay, hemp, and lime.

The home’s interior has exposed and treated timber columns.