A Sustainable Build Strategy
ModCell® Panel frames are constructed using sustainably sourced timber (either PEFC or FSC certified). In our BaleHaus® designs, all internal walls and floors are made from PEFC timber. This is made from a by-product of the timber milling process.
All straw is untreated and locally sourced. Organic straw can be sourced on request, however, travel distances may increase. Lime render is provided by Lime Technologies.
A structural timber frame is ‘infilled’ with locally sourced straw bales, which are stacked to form a ModCell Straw® Panel. For ModCell Hemp® Panels, we spray Tradical® Hemcrete® into the timber frame. For either straw or hemp, the wall is then plastered using a protective lime render.
Panel sizes vary to suit project requirements. The most common size in recent projects has been 3m high x 3.2m wide and 490 mm thick. Building with straw bales offers high levels of thermal insulation. ModCell® insulation value is up to three times better than current building regulations demand and it meets the PassivHaus specification “out of the box”.
ModCell® uses an abundant agricultural by-product, which at present has few “value added” applications. This, when combined with potential income from Flying Factory™ rental, offers an important new market for the farming industry.