SBUK March Webinar - Timber framing for straw bale construction with Chris Hawker and Ben Nother
March 29, 2025
Watch now: Timber Framing for Straw Bale Construction

Chris Hawker and Ben Nother of Hawkland share practical insights from their latest straw build near Ross-on-Wye, using it as a live case study to explore how timber framing influences durability, sequencing, design, and collaboration.
This session unpacks:
- Hawkland’s evolving approach to framing
- Prefabrication vs site-led construction
- Detailing for weather protection and precision
- Loadbearing vs non-structural straw systems
- Material considerations and mortgage-ability
The recording includes key visual explanations of ‘stick’ and ‘split’ frame systems, MVP strategies, and the real-world constraints shaping straw bale construction in the UK.

Timber Framing for Straw Bale Construction with Chris Hawker and Ben Nother
📅 **25 March 2025**
📍 **Online Event**
Timber framing plays a crucial role in straw bale construction, influencing durability, efficiency, and design. In this session, Hawkland’s Chris Hawker and Ben Nother will share their expertise, using their latest build near Ross-on-Wye as a case study.
They will explore:
✔️ The specific approach they have taken to constructing the timber frame
✔️ How their designs have evolved over the years
✔️ The reasoning behind their current method
✔️ A broader discussion on timber-frame vs load-bearing straw bale construction
The session will conclude with a Q&A, offering the opportunity to gain insights from two of the UK’s leading practitioners in timber and straw construction.