BUILD SUSTAINABLY AND COMFORTABLY WITH ECOCOCON

Then build it the best way possible – sustainably, with natural materials, without CO2 emissions, and with a better indoor climate. This can be achieved by designing and building a prefabricated straw panel house.

Humanity has been building straw houses for centuries. Some houses have straw roofs and others have straw walls plastered with clay. The thick walls of these homes have provided shelter for people against brutal winters and burning summers around the world.

Why would you be interested in living in a straw house built from natural materials? Is it for its low carbon footprint or its excellent energy efficiency and sound insulation? A quality straw house can easily meet the above criteria. However, this is not all that makes this house unique. A straw house can regulate interior humidity and prevent significant deviations from the recommended healthy level of 40-60% relative humidity (RH). Humidity is an important factor for both our health and the well-being of the house.

Nowadays, people are increasingly feeling the advent of high technology, and with it, comes the interest in combining it with quality natural materials to achieve an energy-efficient, cosy and comfortable home with a modern look and design. How can we combine the knowledge of the ancient masters with modern technologies and best practices of the present?

The revolutionary solution in the world of straw building and prefabricated houses made of natural materials has been around for more than 12 years – load-bearing straw panels. The EcoCocon straw wall system addresses the disadvantages of traditional straw bale construction, while bringing additional benefits to the table.

Some of the most important advantages of the system are:

· exceptional insulation with U factor = 0.12 , class A+++, making for energy-efficient and comfortable buildings;

· airtight, but vapour-permeable envelope;

· fast and easy construction;

· no chemical treatment, glue or toxic substances;

· negative CO2 footprint. Straw is a byproduct of agriculture, and grows much faster than trees. EcoCocon straw wall panels are made of 89% straw and only 10% wood, storing tons of carbon dioxide in each building, while preserving our forests;

· added value over time due to reduced heating and air-conditioning costs;

· over two hours of fire resistance, confirmed by REI 120 certification;

· custom made with 1 mm precision and easily adaptable to any architectural design;

· clay plaster on the inside of the facade regulates interior humidity levels, accumulates and releases heat, removes unpleasant odours, purifies the air and creates unique comfort, cosiness and aesthetics.

Now is the right time to look at things a little more globally. It was about our health, but it is also good to think about the health of our planet and climate change. In most European countries, legislation has begun to change and not only single-family houses are being built en masse from natural materials, but also entire public buildings – there are many examples of kindergartens, schools, hospitals, libraries and so on.

In the EU, large CO2 tax reductions on building materials have started to come into force and the choice of straw then becomes even more attractive.

The EcoCocon prefabricated building system (www.ecococon.eu) is used in many European countries. In Bulgaria, there are already several projects built and others are under construction. The system is offered by Barbali LTD.

Veselin Moskov – CEO Barbali LTD: +359 889 245 916

www.barbali.bg