A German couple and a Slovenian activist are challenging traditional construction norms with straw houses, innovative projects that prioritize reuse and reduce the carbon footprint.
Karo and Holga Folk left their life in Nuremberg in 2021 to build a straw house in Burgenland (Austria), while Andrej Fiedersen is renovating an abandoned farm in Slovenia using recycled materials.
Their initiatives, along with academic efforts in Germany, aim to transform a sector responsible for 40% of global CO₂ emissions.
From Germany to Austria: a circular dream in Burgenland
Karo, a photographer, and Holga, a computer scientist, began their journey towards self-sufficiency in December 2021. With 70,000 euros saved, they started building a circular straw bale guesthouse with a wooden roof.
“We want to keep the materials in the cycle,” explains Holga. The structure, coated with clay, supports a roof of seven tons without additional supports, a technique supervised by Gerber Grube, an Austrian expert. “Each straw bale has its own life; it must be understood,” he details.
The straw house project includes circular water systems: artificial wetlands for greywater and composting toilets. Although the local mayor approved the plan, he warns: “It’s a dream, I could almost cry with emotion.” Despite delays due to rain and issues with plumbers, the couple is moving forward: “We prioritize well-being over deadlines,” says Karo.
Slovenia: the battle for abandoned houses
200 km south, Andrej Fiedersen faces another challenge: renovating the Jalec Farm, purchased in 2021, using 100% recycled materials. With a loan and support from his father, Radoban, he created a “materials passport” to catalog each element. “The historical beams are good, but the 70s polystyrene was a low blow,” he admits.
His approach clashes with traditions: “In Slovenia, construction is a family affair, but my father questions my methods.” Despite obstacles, Andrej implements hemp concrete insulation (lime, hemp, and water), reducing emissions and improving indoor climate. “Hemp is the future, although it’s still in its infancy here,” highlights Luka, a former educator turned specialist.
Moratorium on demolitions: the new frontier in Germany
Meanwhile, in Germany, Professor Annette Gilebrand is pushing for a moratorium on premature demolitions. “Even a poorly renovated building emits less CO₂ than a new one,” she argues. Along with architect Anya Rosen, she developed the Urban Mining Index, a tool that quantifies the recyclability of materials.
In Munich, the GWG cooperative applies these principles in Ramersdorf, a neighborhood from the 1950s. By demolishing three houses, they cataloged debris to reuse doors, windows, and wood. “Each house is an urban mine,” explains an expert. However, limitations persist: “Old beam roofs are often unfeasible,” acknowledges a technician.
Innovation and obstacles in ecological construction
Straw construction, although marginal, is gaining followers: “700 houses in Austria, 10,000 in France. Its advantages are clear: straw stores CO₂ and requires low energy in production. But institutional support is lacking: “There is no lobby behind natural materials,” criticizes Grube.
In Coburg, the new city hall uses recycled concrete (R), reducing emissions by 7%. “Concrete recycling has been around for 20 years, but only now there is a need,” says Rosen. Her “Recycling Atlas” proves that circular projects are more cost-effective in the long run.
Towards a waste-free future: lessons and challenges
The protagonists agree: change requires rethinking systems. Andrej reflects: “We are part of the natural cycle; buying unnecessary materials mortgages the future.” Karo and Holga, while planting their green roof, summarize: “Every little care counts.”
Despite progress, the road is tough. 74 million tons of waste annually in Germany and urban pressure demand urgent solutions. As Gilebrand asserts: “If we want to protect the climate, we must see existing buildings as a treasure, not as an obstacle.”
