It was a toss up between photosynthetic architecture or renewable buildings. Sounds fancy but in essence describes what we are trying to do.
The straw does play a small but contributing a role in the structure of the panel. It acts compositely with the lime render that encapsulates it to provide resistance to wind load and shear load. When we use hemp and lime together the shear load they provide is similar to sheathing boards used in timber frame construction.
A typical panel size is 3m x 3m, the sizes vary depending on the type of building. With regards to width we are 'fat and proud' or 490 mm thick! We do slimmer versions at 390 mm at 350 mm but the best thermal value is achieved with the 490 mm thick.
This thermal performance reduces the heating requirement in a home by 83% and keeps the house warm in winter and cool in summer.
The straw, hemp and wood do not continue to photosynthesise.
However, we do design our buildings to work with the sun's energy, either passively through orientation or, actively by integrating solar hot water and solar photovoltaic panels.
To find out more click onto http://www.modcell.co.uk/.
We are currently building a BaleHaus and we have set up a StrawCam on site where you can see a house being built over the next two days.
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by Craig White
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