Calling Lake Centre is a fully accredited educational centre of The United Church of Canada which nurtures growth in individuals, congregations and communities through programs, retreats and hospitality. At the Calling Lakes Centre in Fort Qu'Appelle, a workshop on straw bale building took place in fall of 2008. Shawn Hayter of Green Planet Homes Inc. discussed the history and philosophy of straw bale building and its place amidst modern construction techniques. He presented the theories which explain that straw bale is a safe, strong, and environmentally friendly choice for building, and why it's experiencing the current strong resurgence. Participants learned practical construction techniques, got plenty of hands-on experience in completing a small addition on site, and learned how to manage the details of this type of construction.
The plaster coat covering the straw bale construction is a critical element in the building process. It gives the structure its rigidity, and is an integral factor in what makes a straw bale house "healthy". Shawn will discussed the operational theory of straw bale and different plastering techniques during the second half of the weeklong workshop. He explained how to plan your plastering job and plastering techniques. Participants learned plaster mixes for Lime, Stucco, and Earthen Plasters and the advantages of each. The participants of the workshop built an addition to the Calling Lakes garage.