How long will this material take to renew itself? Will this building and/or its components be in use that long?

Would a rapidly renewable product such as straw bales be an appropriate wall system for the project? Consider characteristics of straw bale that are different from conventional wood framing, such as wide wall footprint, labor costs, finishes.

Could other renewable materials be used as structural wall systems? Some examples to consider, particularly for specialty buildings, are small-diameter roundwood and bamboo.

What particular precautions need to be taken to protect a renewable material from exposure to the elements that can degrade it? Are there instances in which planned replacement of a renewable material be preferable to designs or treatments aimed at making it impervious to weather?

Read more about wall systems

Learn about other renewable components