Straw bale

Straw bales are sometimes used to build houses. The bales are used like bricks one bale deep to build a house. Wooden frames are used for the windows. A straw bale house is quickly built and is cheap. As the insulation is excellent heating and cooling cost are low.

Reference:

• Straw bale home construction (http://www.epsea.org/straw.html)
• U.S. Department of Energy (http://www.eren.doe.gov/buildings/documents/strawbale.html)