Manjimup Strawship
An Earthship inspired home made with strawbale walls
The Manjimup Strawship WA
The Manjimup Strawship is inspired by the classic Earthship layout, featuring the signature greenhouse corridor on the sunny northern side. This beautiful and functional space brings in natural light, supports indoor plants, and helps regulate indoor comfort.
Instead of a traditional tyre wall and earth berm to the south, this design uses a strawbale wall. Strawbales are not only faster and easier to build with, but they also provide outstanding insulation. The inclusion of south-facing windows means the home opens to serene views of the shady creek, blending comfort with connection to the surrounding landscape.
The home sits on a polished concrete slab, combining durability and elegance with excellent thermal mass. Acting as a natural heat sink, the slab helps stabilise indoor temperatures year-round. In true Earthship tradition, the greenhouse (sunroom) walls will also feature bottle bricks, adding colour, texture, and artistry while reusing materials that would otherwise go to waste.
One of the strengths of this design is its flexibility. The basic structure is simple and easy to build, but the internal arrangement of rooms can be adapted to suit different needs and lifestyles — allowing each owner to make the home truly their own.
Thanks to the excellent insulating qualities of strawbale, the thermal performance is expected to be very strong, keeping indoor temperatures stable throughout the seasons while using ecological, locally available materials.
Designed for owner-builders, the roof is a simple skillion roof that makes construction straightforward. Rainwater is harvested from the southern gutter into a large water tank, supporting a self-reliant lifestyle.
Construction will commence soon — stay tuned for photos as this unique project takes shape.
The Manjimup Strawship is inspired by the classic Earthship layout, featuring the signature greenhouse corridor on the sunny northern side. This beautiful and functional space brings in natural light, supports indoor plants, and helps regulate indoor comfort.
Instead of a traditional tyre wall and earth berm to the south, this design uses a strawbale wall. Strawbales are not only faster and easier to build with, but they also provide outstanding insulation. The inclusion of south-facing windows means the home opens to serene views of the shady creek, blending comfort with connection to the surrounding landscape.
The home sits on a polished concrete slab, combining durability and elegance with excellent thermal mass. Acting as a natural heat sink, the slab helps stabilise indoor temperatures year-round. In true Earthship tradition, the greenhouse (sunroom) walls will also feature bottle bricks, adding colour, texture, and artistry while reusing materials that would otherwise go to waste.
One of the strengths of this design is its flexibility. The basic structure is simple and easy to build, but the internal arrangement of rooms can be adapted to suit different needs and lifestyles — allowing each owner to make the home truly their own.
Thanks to the excellent insulating qualities of strawbale, the thermal performance is expected to be very strong, keeping indoor temperatures stable throughout the seasons while using ecological, locally available materials.
Designed for owner-builders, the roof is a simple skillion roof that makes construction straightforward. Rainwater is harvested from the southern gutter into a large water tank, supporting a self-reliant lifestyle.
Construction will commence soon — stay tuned for photos as this unique project takes shape.