An Off-Grid Straw Bale Home in Boulder Creek 

Just off Bear Creek Road, north of Boulder Creek, exists a home seemingly out of a fairytale. This unique straw bale house sits on 2.9 Santa Cruz Mountains acres and is an impressive work of architecture. The home is completely off-grid and built with sustainability in mind. An interesting feature – a charming truth window – showcases the craftsmanship behind its construction, while every corner inside holds a treasure – curated from local antique shops and adventures abroad.

The home is tucked away on Moonrise Road with only three other homes on the street. Home chefs will delight in harvesting fresh fruits and veggies from an existing garden and collecting eggs from the chicken coop. French doors in the kitchen lead to a wisteria-draped deck draped – a picturesque spot for al fresco dining. The entire second floor is dedicated to the home’s bedroom, complete with custom built-ins and windows that frame breathtaking mountain views. 

Thoughtfully designed to honor its namesake road, the home features artistic nods to the moonrise, from windows positioned for the view to a mosaic on the staircase leading up to the entrance. Behind the scenes, modern amenities support off-grid living, including owned solar, newly installed lithium batteries, and 2 detached storage sheds. Access is easy with a fully paved road and turnouts. 

View 50 more photos at: https://www.zillow.com/homedetails/18010-Moonrise-Rd-Boulder-Creek-CA-95006/112772518_zpid/

Advantages of Straw Bale Homes

Retired builder Tom Andersen said, “Straw bale homes are very efficient and a very eco-friendly way to deal with straw. Rice straw is used because it doesn’t biodegrade and would otherwise be burned off in the fields. These homes are strong and quiet. And they’re cool in the summer and retain heat in the winter.” 

• Energy & Cost Efficiency: Straw bales provide excellent insulation, reducing heating and cooling costs. 
• Eco-Friendly: Straw is a renewable and naturally occurring material. 
• Durability: With proper protection against moisture, straw bale homes can be durable and long-lasting. 
• Fire Resistance: Plastered straw bale walls offer high fire resistance. 
• Seismic Resilience: Straw bale homes, especially with reinforced design, can be highly resistant to earthquakes. 
• Superior Indoor Air Quality: Straw bale homes avoid synthetic materials that can negatively impact air quality. 

For a lucky homebuyer, this is an opportunity to embrace off-grid living in a place where breathtaking mountain views meet glimpses of the Pacific Ocean, and sustainability blends beautifully with nature.

The Charm of Truth Windows

Tucked within the walls of some straw bale homes lies a quirky architectural feature that’s both a nod to transparency and a conversation starter: the truth window. This small, deliberate opening in a wall reveals the hidden layers beneath, offering a glimpse into the building’s soul. In strawbale houses, a growing trend in sustainable construction, truth windows showcase the surprising core material – straw bales.

Unlike conventional walls hiding studs and insulation, a truth window in a strawbale home proudly displays tightly packed straw, the eco-conscious backbone of the structure. Typically left unplastered on the interior, this section is framed to create a peekaboo moment, proving the walls are indeed made of natural, renewable straw. “It’s like a badge of honesty,” says Andersen. “It shows homeowners and visitors exactly what’s holding up the house.”

Designs for truth windows vary as much as the homes themselves. Some builders opt for a sleek glass cover, turning the straw into a permanent display. Others prefer a rustic wooden panel that swings open for a tactile experience, letting curious visitors touch the straw. In simpler cases, a framed opening does the trick, no fuss required. Each style serves the same purpose: to celebrate the unconventional beauty of strawbale construction.

The truth window isn’t just a gimmick – it’s a testament to the growing appeal of sustainable building in places like the San Lorenzo Valley where environmental consciousness meets architectural creativity. As strawbale homes rise in popularity, these small portals offer a big reminder that sustainability is worth showing off.

On the Market

Straw bale home on 2.9 acres offered at $855,000. Contact MaryBeth McLaughlin at marybethrealtor@gmail.com or 831-252-4085 for more information.

View the listing at: https://santacruzmountainrealestate.com/18010-moonrise-rd-boulder-creek-ca-95006/

(Photos contributed by MaryBeth McLaughlin)