Welcome to the Straw Bale Training for European Professionals with Certificate (STEP) 2020. Language: English/German. FAQs
Short Overview of Theory- and Practical Units (Unit 2-5 consist of THEORY and min 5-day PRACTICE). All in all, you have to do 8 Theory-Units and at least 15-20 days Practical Units to get the Certificates.
STEP ONLINE UNITS 2020
Unit 1 (INTRO) ONLINE-Training: 27.-29. March 2020, 12:00
(2nd date: 01.-03. May 2020)
Unit 2 (INFILL) ONLINE-Training: 30. March-03. April, 2020, 12:00
(2nd date: 26.-30. April 2020)
Unit 8 (COMMUNICATION & MARKETING) ONLINE-Training: 13.-16. April 2020
Unit 4 (WRAPPING) ONLINE-Training: 04.-07. May 2020, 12:00
STEP THEORY UNITS in 3720 RAVELSBACH, AT
Unit 3 (LOAD BEARING) Theory/Practice: 1.-4. July 2020, 12:00, Ravelsbach/NÖ
Unit 5 (FINISHES, PLASTER) Theory/Practice: 18.-26. July 2020, 12:00, Ravelsbach and/or Gmünd/NÖ
Extra Unit: TADELAKT Practice: 27.-28. July 2020, 12:00, Ravelsbach/NÖ
Extra Unit: OFF GRID/DIY TinyHouse Theory/Practice: 18.-22. Aug. 2020, 12:00, Ravelsbach/NÖ
Unit 6 (BUILDING PHYSICS) Theory/Practice: 24.-28. Aug. 2020, 12:00, Ravelsbach/NÖ
Unit 7 (DESIGN, SOLAR ARCHITECTURE) Theory/Practice: 31. Aug.-04. Sept. 2020, 12:00, Ravelsbach/NÖ
Unit 8 (MARKETING & CALCULATION) Theory/Practice: 07.-11. Sept. 2020, 12:00, Ravelsbach/NÖ
STEP PRACTICAL UNITS/WORKSHOPS (optional to choose)
Practical-Units depend on weather conditions and may be postponed, if necessary.
Unit 2+5 (CUT-Construction+INFILL+CLAY PLASTER) Practice Part 1: 18.-30. May 2020, Ravelsbach/NÖ
Unit 2+5 (Infill-Construction+INFILL+CLAY PLASTER) Practice: 1.-12. June 2020, 12:00, Gmünd/NÖ
Modul 2 (CUT-Konstruktion+INFILL+Zwischenwände) Praxis Teil 2: 6.-8. Juli, 2020, 12:00, Ravelsbach/NÖ
Modul 5 (LEHM-Handputz COB Gewölbe) Praxis Teil 3: 9.-10. Juli 2020, 9:00, Ravelsbach/NÖ
Modul 2+4 (WRAPPING+INFILL) Practice: 13.- 17. Juli, 2020, 12:00, Gmünd/NÖ
Modul 5 (LIME Plaster) Theory+Practice: Lime plaster on wrapping Practice: August 03-12, 2020 (1 workshop all days or parts thereof)
03-05 August 2020, Gmünd/NÖ, start 12:00 in Neunagelberg at border crossing CZ directly opposite border office (base plaster/1. layer with Gräfix Pajalith spray plaster)
04 August 2020, Halbthurn/Bgld. (base plaster 1st layer with Gräfix Pajalith spray plaster), start 12:00
05. August 2020: 3720 Ravelsbach, Baierdorf 6 (base plaster 1st layer with handmade lime putty), start 9:00
10-11 August 2020: Gmünd/NÖ, start 12:00 in Neunagelberg border crossing CZ directly opposite customs office (fine plaster/2. layer with Gräfix Pajalith spray plaster)
12 August 2020, Halbthurn/Bgld. (fine plaster 2nd layer with Gräfix Pajalith spray plaster), start 11:00-12:00
STEP Final Assessment: 12. (written)/13. (oral) Sept. 2020, Ravelsbach/NÖ
DETAIL PLAN with all Participants and Trainers (Excel on Google Drive, updated 01.07.2020)
(basic) accommodation and food are included in all practical Training, in Theory-Units we cook together and share the costs (limited beds available in our straw bale house).
How to register:
Complete training (400 h): If you’re booking the complete training, we offer you a discount of no less than € 400,– AND add the extra module energy self-sufficiency as a free bonus (value € 280,–).
Instead of € 4.200,–, the training would cost you only € 3.800,–. Payable in advance or in monthly rates.
Complete training for students, apprentices, unemployed persons and accompanying persons:
€ 2.990,–, payable in advance or in monthly rates.
If you’re booking the complete training and pay in advance, we sweeten the deal by adding the extra module 1 about energy self-sufficiency as a free bonus (value € 280,–).
Booking individual/single modules: The eight modules can also be booked individually and independently of the certificate and the final examination. In order to participate in modules of your choice, the additional visit of Module 1 is highly recommended (introduction).
In any case, once you have completed all eight modules, you will be able to take the final exam and you will be awarded as ECVET Certified Straw Bale Builder (recognized in the European Union).
Registration & Infos: ASBN, Herbert Gruber, E-Mail: ASBN@baubiologie.at
FAQs (Trainers, questions & answers to STEP Training)
Unit 1: Introduction in Straw Bale Building
We start with a general introduction into history and status-quo of Straw Bale Building. there is a lot to learn about the building material (straw bales) itself: Procurement, production, quality assessment, testing, handling, storage … The tools are presented and partly self-made (stuffers).
Theory & Practice: € 250,–/Person; € 180,– for Students
Partner-price: Your partner just pays the reduced students-price!
Language: English/German
Unit 2: Straw Bale-Infill, CUT-Technique, Prefab
We get to know the different wood frame construction methods: Wooden constructions (CUT in the middle, CUT supporting planking, double post) are infilled with straw bales without gaps (infill = filling in), prefabricated wooden straw components (modules) assembled professionally. Bales are cut, tied and / or efficiently compressed in the walls. In the practical workshop, a detached house in timber frame construction is filled with straw bales and then (in the second half) plastered with clay (and lime). We show how windows are sealed with flax and sealing tapes, how electrical cables are laid in straw bale walls and how details are executed correctly.
Theory & Practice: € 580,–/Person; € 370,– for Students
Partner-price: Your partner just pays the reduced students-price!
Language: English/German
Impressions from U2-Infill-Training 2017 in Ravelsbach and Valencia
Impressions from U2-Practical Building Sites Pulkau/NÖ, Summerau and Ernstbrunn
Unit 3: Load-bearing straw bale building
The initial straw building does not need any supporting construction for walls, the straw bales alone are „load-bearing“. Wood is used for protection and support (base plate, roof assembly, window frames), structural integrity (ring beam) as well as for additional construction. In theory, we handle the preparation and selection of the right bales, statics, the construction schedule and construction of load-bearing straw bale houses. In the practical workshop, a building with small bales is built load-bearing and plastered.
Theory & Practice: € 670,–/Person; € 610,– for Students
Partner-price: Your partner just pays the reduced students-price!
Language: English/German
Impressions from U3-Training in Styria (Trainer: Virko Kade) in Gallery
Impressions from U3 Praxisbaustelle 2017 in Fürstenfeld (load-bearing, big bales)
Unit 4: Wrapping – External Straw Insulation
In „wrapping“ buildings are all around covered with straw bales. We show wrapping possibilities for insulation thicknesses from 15 cm with diagonal bracing, pallets, slats and facade panels. We learn how to make an additional foundation and set up an auxiliary construction, as well as the professional attachment and the complete, windproof design.
In the practical workshops, a barn and „Fachwerkhaus“ is restored and wrapped (inside) with straw bales and plastered with clay, for fixation we assemble a CUT hybrid construction.
Theory & Practice: € 490,–/Person; € 310,– for Students
Partner-price: Your partner just pays the reduced students-price!
Language: English/German
Impressions from U4 building sites in Plank am Kamp, NÖ (whole 36 cm bales) and Vienna (15 cm straw insulation)
Unit 5: Finishes (Clay-, Lime Plasters, Wood Cladding)
Only the most meticulously designed surfaces prevent structural damage in the long term, especially in diffusion open building construction. Material knowledge (clay, lime plaster), as well as a lot of practice from base plaster to fine plaster, characterize this unit.
In the practical workshop, we plaster with clay (earth) and lime, manual plastering is shown as well as spray plaster.
Theory & Practice: € 820,–/Person; € 720,– for Students
Partner-price: Your partner just pays the reduced students-price!
Language: English/German
Impressions from STEP Unit 5
Unit 6: Building Physics & Sustainability
The knowledge of the building physical properties of building materials is an indispensable basis for their optimal use. It is thermal bridges, mould, moisture (condensation) … to recognize and avoid. We treat the subjects of thermal insulation, fire protection, sound insulation, moisture protection and heating and calculate and optimize straw construction according to their required properties. We show how sustainability, wellbeing and a healthy indoor climate can be implemented in a straw bale house.
Theory & Practice: € 460,–/Person; € 270,– for Students
Partner-price: Your partner just pays the reduced students-price!
Extra Unit Solar Energy Autarky, Virtual Building Site Ravelsbach/NÖ
Topics: DIY-Solar Cooker, Solar Can-Ventilation, Storage Ovens, Pizza Ovens, Photovoltaics,…
Theory & Practice: € 250,–/Person; € 180,– for Students
Partner-price: Your partner just pays the reduced students-price!
Language: English/German
Unit 7: Solar Architecture, Design, Installation, Cost Calculation
The principle of „straw construction“: You learn to read plans and to implement construction plans and learn how construction, insulation, electrics, water, building services and heating … interact. With a straw construction overview, you prevent building defects and repair building damage and keep the budget within limits. We also show how organic straw bale building is possible and how to save on building costs. With practical workshop planning of a straw bale house, videos and discussions.
Theory & Practice: € 460,–/Person; € 270,– for Students
Partner-price: Your partner just pays the reduced students-price!
Language: English/German
Unit 8: Communication & Marketing
Market knowledge improves your bargaining position, knowledge of suppliers and prices enables costing. We show (open-source) tools and software for self-presentation (CI), administration and successful (social media) appearance. The basis of everything is communication and knowledge about target groups, other craftsmen (networking) and suppliers (where can I get what?). We show how the price of a straw bale house can be estimated, calculated and communicated. And explain the differences between soft and hard costs and show savings.
Theory: € 280,–/Person; € 180,– for Students
Partner-price: Your partner just pays the reduced students-price!
Language: English/German
Final Examinations to become a „Certified Straw Bale Builder“:
Written & Oral Tests (also on agreement).
€ 160,–/Person; € 80,– for Students; Virtual Building Site Ravelsbach/NÖ
Language: English/German
STEP-Trainers:
FAQs (Trainers, questions & answers)
strawbale.training (Learning Outcomes Deutsch/English)
