Our design solution was to literally straddle the old building with an almost entirely new shell of Strawbale, hence the name Russian Doll House. A house inside a house. Keeping the existing frame, the ceiling lining and much of the internal partitions, new strawbale external walls were placed out to the verandah line and a steeper pitched truss roof was supported over the existing post and beam structure. A couple of perpendicular gable roof forms created some additional floor area and also taller ceilings. The house is designed with Passive house principles in mind. It requires very little heating over Winter and stays naturally cool in Summer.