A beautiful rocket stove and mass heater
Although my rocket stove in Gobcobatron was an unsuccessful design (I tore it out and replaced it with a small wood stove instead), our friend Mark at Red Earth Farms built a successful and beautiful rocket stove mass heater that is hugged by a cob spiral staircase in his awesome straw bale house. I love this image!
Rocket Stove in a Straw Bale House
The rocket stove is nestled in the curve of the stairs, and the stovepipe runs along the north side of the house, under a desk and work area, and then up through the second story and out the roof. Mark has reported that it works great and keeps his family’s straw bale house nice and toasty in the wintertime.
I think this image (which shows the rocket stove under construction, by the way) is a great example of creative design in natural building. The staircase has a large carved niche on the opposite side for firewood storage, and shelves for books on the south side. This stove and cob staircase is my favorite element in Mark’s lovely straw bale house.
By the way, Mark is leading our 2012 Straw Bale Workshop in July. We still have spaces remaining. Apply today!
Mark's straw bale house under construction
I love the stairway and how they integrated the rocket stove. Very inspiring design!
Indeed, this is a great creative design in natural building! The stove attached on the staircase is really a nice idea and saved house space.
I always thought this would be great thermal mass storage too to slowly release all that quick heat from the rocket mass heater. Great!