Straw Panel Building with Ecococon and Strawbuild.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Assembly

Assembling 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.

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.

Comfort

Achieve 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.

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

Thatched straw panel houses in Lithuania

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

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.

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.