Unitec’s Straw into Gold project, currently on display in the Warren and Mahoney Laneway as part of the NZIA Festival of Architecture, is shining the spotlight on climate change and better building practices through its creation of a straw bale house.

Originally created for the annual BuildNZ design exhibition in June, Straw into Gold addresses the fact that New Zealand produces some of the world’s highest yields of grain (and consequently straw), and explores the possibilities of using home-grown building materials to address the critical issue of climate change. Through the project, Unitec School of Architecture students are also exploring the use of prefabricated timber and straw wall panels for mainstream house construction.

A one-third scale model of a small habitable structure, Straw into Gold shows the possibilities of the construction method and opens up discussions about local circular economies, community empowerment and the need for a holistic approach to architecture that acknowledges the idea that resources are crucial and need to be conserved.

“Low carbon materials have a crucial part to play in creating a truly sustainable built environment,” said Unitec lecturer Min Hall, who, together with fellow lecturer Magdalena Garbarczyk, is running a series of elective courses on Resource Matters at the School.

“The project originated from our desire to take a hands-on approach to teaching sustainability,” said Magda. “Min and I were both working independently on different ways to tackle sustainability in an educational context and decided to join forces to reach a wider audience of students. 

“We believe that the process of ‘making’ demystifies sustainable building and empowers students and the wider community to become advocates for better building practices. This is absolutely necessary in the face of climate change,” added Magda.

Third year architecture student Khamis Shiblaq says he wished he’d done the Resource Matters elective earlier on in his studies. He’s interested in a career in urban design once he graduates and says, “It’s important to have sustainability in mind with any form of design and making sure your footprint is a clean one.”

He says it’s important for anyone involved with design to realise that alternative technologies exist, and that they’re not hampered with as many drawbacks as people think.  

“Straw is seen as a lower quality product associated with farm barns and people don’t look at it as a viable solution to everyday building. This project helps turn that on its head. 

“We’ve been building with straw for centuries, and it’s a very viable building solution.”

Read more about the Festival of Architecture events here.