The philosophy of Tallgrass Hearth and Home is simple. A radical restructuring of the world's building practices is necessary to create a healthy existence for humans and the natural world alike. By empowering ourselves with the traditional knowledge of our ancestors who constructed home and hearth for millennia before drywall and fiberglass were introduced, we can move into the future, equipped with modern tools and understandings of engineering and human health considerations. We did not evolve to crawl around on formaldehyde laden carpets as children, and we don't function well when subjected to mold from improperly placed vapor barriers at every turn as adults. Our spaces need to breathe just as we do.
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By building with materials sourced from our adjacent surroundings, we can help ensure that forests remain forests and grasslands don't degrade into deserts. A log cabin can look entirely out of place on the treeless prairie, yet a straw bale home plastered with the local soil blends seamlessly into the landscape surrounding it. Vernacular architecture connects us with the world of our surroundings.
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As we cultivate an understanding of the benefits of building with earth, our building codes begin to reflect these realities. The International Code Council (ICC) has approved amendments to the residential code that reflect straw bale with earthen plasters, as well as light straw clay (and soon to be cob!) are safe, approved and insurable building materials when constructed with the proper knowledge.
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By building with materials sourced from our adjacent surroundings, we can help ensure that forests remain forests and grasslands don't degrade into deserts. A log cabin can look entirely out of place on the treeless prairie, yet a straw bale home plastered with the local soil blends seamlessly into the landscape surrounding it. Vernacular architecture connects us with the world of our surroundings.
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As we cultivate an understanding of the benefits of building with earth, our building codes begin to reflect these realities. The International Code Council (ICC) has approved amendments to the residential code that reflect straw bale with earthen plasters, as well as light straw clay (and soon to be cob!) are safe, approved and insurable building materials when constructed with the proper knowledge.
Background:
Jim Schalles (Owner, Operator) grew up in the Great Plains of Eastern Nebraska where he cultivated a love for the tallgrass prairie. After earning a Bachelors of Science in Environmental Studies from Creighton University, he found his vocation in working with earth while traveling and gardening in Argentina. At Granja Valle Pintado, in the town of El Bolson, ARG he came to understand the qualities of building with clay soil and straw bales. After a bit of research, it became evident that although Nebraska was the birthplace of straw bale architecture, no one in the region was actively practicing the craft or teaching the skills of how to build in this way. Shortly after arriving home, he set out for the Pacific Northwest which would become his place of study for 5 years while he worked under various teachers and practitioners, working with many styles of wall mediums and plaster recipes. Back home in the Prairie, Jim founded Tallgrass Vernacular which has evolved into Tallgrass Hearth and Home with a focus on creating awareness and spreading the knowledge of these traditional materials while creating lasting products. By building heirloom homes and heaters with localized materials, we can build a future of resilience and empowerment for those that come after us while preserving the natural abundance of our ecosystems. |