Straw-bale walls for sustainable architecture: Improving and promoting straw-bale use in European Buildings

Evrard, Arnaud;Biot, Benjamin;Keutgen, Gauthier;Lebeau, Frédéric;De Herde, André;et.al.
(2015) PLEA 2015 - Architecture in (R)Evolution — Location: Bologne (9.September.2015)

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Authors
  • Evrard, ArnaudUCLouvain
    Author
  • Biot, BenjaminICEDD
    Author
  • Keutgen, GauthierICEDD
    Author
  • Lebeau, FrédéricUliège
    Author
  • Author
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Abstract
Straw-bale use in buildings may be an interesting way to decrease our energy needs and our impact on the environment. Moreover, it fosters a local economy and the creation of new jobs in the building industry. Combined with earth materials and other well-selected materials and systems, it allows creative designers to integrate highly efficient, low-tech and reusable envelopes in comfortable and healthy places. The present paper summarizes the results of a four year R&D program aiming to improve and promote the use of straw bale in buildings and also to remove uncertainties concerning this use. Three main aspects are pinpointed and discussed: hygrothermal transfer and storage in straw-bale walls, regulation of indoor conditions and environmental impact in the long term. These three topics were submitted to European experts (France, England and Germany) in order to discuss a cross-comparison of results obtained on a larger scale. The paper shows that straw-bale use in buildings is a relevant and innovative solution in facing one of the major challenges of today and tomorrow: "How to build/transform comfortable and affordable buildings with local resources and with a positive impact on the environment?".
Affiliations
  • Institution iconUCLouvainSST/ILOC - Faculté d'Architecture
  • d'Ingénierie architecturale
  • d'Urbanisme

Citations

Evrard, A., Biot, B., Keutgen, G., Lebeau, F., Courard, L., & De Herde, A. (2015). Straw-bale walls for sustainable architecture: Improving and promoting straw-bale use in European Buildings. In Mario Cucinella, Giulia Pentella (ed.), PLEA2015 - Architecture in (R)Evolution. Ass. Building Green Futures. https://hdl.handle.net/2078.5/188620