This is a very unique house.  The Kious family owned a home with a double lot in the Cedar-Fairmount District of Cleveland Heights.  Once their children had “left the nest” they decided to explore the possibilities of building a smaller home on their adjacent lot and sell the larger home they occupied.  Always committed to environmental preservation standards, they came to us asking if we could provide a design that would meet their standards and still fit into the character of pre-WWII architecture in their neighborhood.  We came across the innovative building method using straw bales as wall insulation and covering it inside and out with natural earth clay plaster.  We were fortunate to find a builder who was experienced in building these structures in the western US.  Our collaboration resulted in this highly energy-efficient natural home.  It has to be seen to be fully appreciated.