Mark, Thank you for the idea about straw. Unfortunatley, however,I think that idea is a bit too extreme for the building inspector in Connecticut. I did enquire here a few months ago about straw panels, but it seems that they are no longer being produced. Blown-in cellulose is supposed to be pretty good stuff. Because our house is going to be so small, I thought that a built-up wall system might be the way to go. Also, I think that you had curriculum spelled okay the first time around.