Rear Window

A NNE-facing window though which the sun never shines. The flash of green lawn behind, and the visibility of the wall, the fence, and the hedge beyond, reveal that the land rises quite quickly outside. We are well protected from the coldest winds, that usually come from this direction

Stone walls and straw walls have in common that they are thick, with deep window and door reveals, that create a feeling of being enclosed and protected, which I find reassuring. Also wide windowsills that serve as useful surfaces for fruit bowls, pictures, postcards, ornaments, speakers, kitchen equipment... We don't really do elegant minimalism. In this case, they create a perfect environment for a plant that has run amok. Action is needed; we are still discussing strategy and tactics

A straw wall is very easy to shape - you just need a reciprocating hedge-cutter and you can trim it in any way that pleases you. We opted for generously rounded door and window reveals to match the ones in the stone walls. They generate pleasing patterns of light and shade

The frame on the right is a 'truth window'. It is just a picture frame set into the plaster, with a direct view through the picture-glass on to the wheat straw from which the wall is built. It is material evidence of the 'truth', for sceptics about the construction. If anything is living in the wall, it gives it a place to come and watch us