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Straw Panel Building with Ecococon and Strawbuild. |
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The Ecococon straw panel technology is unique
providing both a double frame load-bearing construction element
and, at the same time, the main insulation of the building. A
minimum of wood is used to achieve a construction that is cost
effective and with no thermal bridges. The clay plaster can be
applied directly on the inner straw surface and lime to the outer.
Only straw of up to 15% humidity is used in the
production of these straw panels. The compression degree of
100-120 kg/m3 is maintained while compressing the straw panels,
achieving a homogenous multidirectional straw structure and
resulting in better thermal resistance of the straw panel. The
surplus of straw is cut off very accurately using special
mechanisms. This is done so smoothly that you will use only about
half as much plaster for this type of panel compared with other
straw building. Ecococon panels can be plastered with local clays,
from other suppliers or with our Ecococon's own natural clay
plasters. |
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A particular advantage of these panels is their
speed of installation on the construction site. Depending on the
level of preparation, approximately 100 m2 of wall area can be
installed by four people within 1-2 days. The panels' design means
they can be connected without the use of special machines or
tools, only a winch. Smaller panels that are not too heavy can be
moved by hand or with small hoists. It's recommended that the
larger panels (where the weight ranges from 20 to 200 kg) are
handled with small plant equipment.
Ecococon panels can be used for building homes with one or more
storeys. Ecococon panels provide the load-bearing structure of the
building. These panels meet all building regulations requirements
for resistance, compression, fire and durability. Standard panels
of 2.8?0.8?0.4 m are always in stock. Custom panels (including
lintels, window sills, pillars, corner panels, triangular panels)
are produced individually for the precise structure of your
project. Panels are fabricated and supplied after developing a 3D
panel projection of the structure/house.
Modular building
The Ecococon straw panel technology is unique providing both a
double frame load-bearing construction element and, at the same
time, the main insulation of the building. A minimum of wood is
used to achieve a construction that is cost effective and with no
thermal bridges. The clay plaster can be applied directly on the
inner straw surface and lime to the outer.
Only straw of up to 15% humidity is used in the production of
these straw panels. The compression degree of 100-120 kg/m3 is
maintained while compressing the straw panels, achieving a
homogenous multidirectional straw structure and resulting in
better thermal resistance of the straw panel. The surplus of straw
is cut off very accurately using special mechanisms. This is done
so smoothly that you will use only about half as much plaster for
this type of panel compared with other straw building. Ecococon
panels can be plastered with local clays, from other suppliers or
with our Ecococon's own natural clay plasters.
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Ecococon is a modular building system that adapts to the creative
needs of the architect and makes life easy for the builder. Easy
assembly, very precise elements with +/-2mm tolerance and an
all-in-one concept (Structural elements and insulation) combine to
make this an extremly cost-effective solution for all parties
involved in the building process.
With this modular building system, architects have complete
freedom to create any design they like. Panels can be individually
produced with 40-80cm width and 40-280cm height. Load-bearing
lintels, inclined tops and braced corners are also possible
without change of materials. A design manual for the architect is
available, please contact us. |
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Structural integrity
Structural integrity of the panels is achieved by the integrated
wooden construction and can be easily calculated by your
structural engineer. The compressed but flexible straw can take
high loads in extreme cases, such as earthquakes, without losing
its integrity.
The integrated wooden structure is used to calculate the necessary
loads, with the load-bearing straw giving extra safety. At least
two, usually three floors can be built without any problems.
Calculation values for structural designers are available in the
technical assessment, if you need a copy please contact us. |
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AssemblyAssembling the panels on site is quick
and precise. We provide numbered parts and drawings, and in the
video below the assembly procedure is explained. Only simple tools
and standard screws (must be anti-corrosive) are needed for
assembly.
It is possible for a team of three people to assemble around 100m2
of wall per day. The work can be done by any skilled carpenter,
with a high level of attention to detail. Energy efficiency
Our panels are produced with very little embodied energy. Even
more importantly, their excellent U-value and heat-retaining
characteristics will save energy for heating and cooling
throughout the lifetime of the building. Your savings will also
reduce global warming emissions! Installing the Ecococon panels
allows you to avoid thermal bridges, as when connecting the panels
their straw edges are pushed flush together. In this way it is
possible to achieve a structure without thermal bridging issues. |
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The thermal resistance of the straw
panels is 0,056 W/mK with a resulting overall U-value of 0,107
W/m2K(R=9.3), including the 100mm wood fibre board on the outside.
The thermal mass and slow phase shift will provide high comfort in
both summer and winter with minimal energy input.
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ComfortAchieve the highest
possible comfort inside an Ecococon house. The formidable
insulation value of the wall can be sufficient to achieve
Passivhaus standard and will provide you with warm surfaces in
winter and a cool interior in summer. You will never again
experience cold drafts or mould growth!
Your comfort is at the core of all our efforts. We have achieved
the highest possible standard of building by adopting proven
concepts of super insulated airtight building envelope including
thermal-bridge-free construction from the Passivhaus community. If
installed together with an optional mechanical ventilation system
with heat recovery it would be hard to do better. |
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Health
We spend most of our time inside, and a healthy
interior climate with no off-gassing makes a big difference to how
our we feel and how healthy our bodies are. Natural materials will
provide you not only with a healthy interior but a beautiful one
as well! Particularly if you enjoy the appealing natural colours
and extraordinary textures of clay plaster.
In our buildings we use straw, wood and clay, but you need also to
take care of what furniture and other items you bring into your
house. This is why we highly recommend installing either optional
passive or mechanical ventilation. Continued air exchange will
ensure low concentrations or build-up of any harmful substances.
Wall layers
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The straw surface on the inside can be directly plastered,
preferably with clay plaster in 2 layers. On the outside we
recommend the use of wood fibre boards. They can be directly
plastered with a certified plaster system or covered with timber
cladding (preferably locally sourced).
Thanks to the airtight layer on the outside, electrical
installations can be done easily. It is even possible to leave the
straw partly visible, if desired. The outside wood fibre board
ensures a long-lasting, high-quality facade and protects the
panels during construction.
Airtightness
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Airtightness
Ecococon have developed a system to achieve the air tightness
demanded by the passive house standard, wrapping the building on
the outside with a vapour-permeable airtight membrane (Sd<0,2).
This makes all installations on the inside much easier. The
membrane must be covered with at least 60mm thick wood fibre
board.
Exfiltration of warm, humid air to the exterior in winter would
produce large amounts of harmful condensation in nearly any
building. The airtight but vapour-diffusion open membrane
(sd<0,2m) lets vapour pass through easily, but blocks the
dangerous airflow. Not only do you reduce your energy bills, but
you protect your construction from long-term damage. |
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Low energy and Passivhaus
The Passivehaus standard not only achieves low energy consumption,
but increases the quality and durability of the building. It also
ensures much higher living comfort.
Ecococon have taken great care with our construction details,
providing a complete set of precalculated thermal bridges. With a
comprehensive concept for air-tightness and window connections,
the system is ready to be implemented in a huge variety of
buildings with consistently excellent results.
Contact us for a
quote
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bee@strawbuild.org |
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+44 (0)7736 904186 |
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