How long is this house expected to last? did they remember to coat the wood? termites and woodlouse are going to be a pain in the ass in that location...and then there's the rain... and cold...
There's a reason we use modern materials, like bricks, modern insulation and tiles, to build modern homes. They work and have proven robust (although mass production has also lowered price on some less desirable materials). Nice little project though.
I can assure you, straw bales are better insulation than modern fiberglass. A family member lived on a sustainable farm where they had a 40 foot diameter roundhouse with 25 foot ceilings and an upper loft. Basically, a big volume. It was easily heated, and kept incredibly cozy, by a single woodburning stove.
Additionally, it was fully plumbed with water (though used composting toilets outside), as well as electricity.
There's a reason we use modern materials, like bricks, modern insulation and tiles, to build modern homes. They work and have proven robust (although mass production has also lowered price on some less desirable materials). Nice little project though.