wfn.org | Innovative Straw Homes Constructed in Northern

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China

November 19, 2000
Adventist Press Service (APD)
Christian B. Schaeffler, Editor-in-chief
CH-4003 Basel, Switzerland
Fax +41-61-261 61 18
APD@stanet.ch
http://www.stanet.ch/APD

Innovative Straw Homes Constructed in Northern China

Jiamusi, China.       The Adventist Development and 
Relief Agency (ADRA) is building straw-bale houses in 
northern China, reports the South China Morning Post. 
The project, also backed by Hong Kong's Kadoorie 
Charitable Foundation, will provide cheaper, healthier 
housing for thousands of the region's residents. 

Scott Christiansen, ADRA's director in China, says 
that the homes have "several advantages over conventional 
ones," the newspaper reports. The new homes are 
economical, saving owners money, and environmentally 
friendly, reducing carbon dioxide emissions from interior 
fireplaces.

Straw-bale homes are 20 percent cheaper to build and 
require 80 percent less coal to heat than traditional 
homes. A  higher moisture retention in straw-bale 
homes leads to a decrease in respiratory disease for 
residents. 

"We are aiming to put in place the technology and 
experience to enable the building of potentially 
thousands of straw-bale houses all over northern China," 
says Christiansen. ADRA showed its newest set of 
homes on November 12 in Jiamusi, Heilongjiang Province.