BaleHaus@Bath

The house, featuring the use of prefabricated straw and hemp panels, is an ongoing research project involving the University of Bath in collaboration with White Design and Modcell.

The two-storey house is built using 'ModCell' which is a pre-fabricated panel system consisting of a wooden structural frame infilled with straw bales or hemp and rendered with a breathable lime-based render. The panels provide a super insulating system that meets the Passivhaus specification for zero heat homes.

The research team, lead by Prof. Peter Walker, is assessing the performance of straw bales and hemp as building materials with a view to their being used more widely. In particular the research will concentrate on thermal performance, acoustics, air tightness and relative humidity.

At the end of the project, the building will be dismantled and relocated to another site.

Architect: White Design
Construction system: ModCell
Research team: University of Bath