Integral Structural Design
has pioneered the use of straw bale cladding in the UK and in conjunction with White Design developed a unique prefabricated straw bale cladding called Modcell (patent pending 0803489.4). The panel system was first developed over five years ago for the new School of Architecture & Planning at the University of the West of England. Since then several projects have been built culminating in the recent opening of York Eco Offices which is the largest straw bale installation in the UK. The panels at York were constructed by Agrifibre Technologies in collaboration with Modcell.
The prefabricated panels are formed in a timber frame which uses the unique Eurban plywood system. Each panel was post tensioned which is based on tests carried out at the University of Bath and rendered in a weak cementitious mix. The Modcell panels are part of a DTI research programme in conjunction with the University of Bath.
The Modcell system has been further developed for the Archimedia project which is a new community and media centre in Bristol.
Testing at Bath University |
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 Eco Building, Torfaen |
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