ModCell^®

Integral has been developing the use of pre-fabricated straw bale panel systems for some years. Its success to date tells us it is one of the most exciting building materials of the future and demonstrates our commitment to low carbon living.

The project
Our aim was to take this highly insulating, renewable resource that locks carbon within it, and bring it to main stream building design. With our co-founders and the University of Bath we have developed a fully prefabricated panel system that exceeds current Building Regulations.

Initial research
The ModCell^® panel itself was first developed nearly ten years ago but a major research project with the University of Bath, completed two years ago, has tested the panel concept fully, including fire, exposure and structural integrity. The panels have now been used in many buildings across the UK with many more on the order books.

Current research
Our current research focuses on testing the whole house solution and in 2008 we built our first ModCell^® house live on TV for Grand Designs. More recently we completed our “Balehaus” at Bath University – a fully functioning two storey building that uses ModCell^® as fully load bearing vertically and horizontally. The house has been used as a ‘test’ house to measure its environmental response over an annual cycle. Integral and our partners are now in receipt of European funding to further investigate bringing to market.

The engineering challenges
Proving that this system can carry vertical and horizontal stability load has been key to the progression of the panel concept to the point where a product can be developed for the housing market. Details have been developed to ensure an efficient build process both in the factory and on site.

The solutions
Extensive testing with the University of Bath has allowed us to quantify the composite action between straw, timber and render leading to a highly efficient structural design for wind load and shear. This material also makes a beautiful house – visually stunning, solid, quiet and calm. We now believe that ModCell^® is a product that will make large-scale, carbon-negative building a commercial reality.

Architects and co-founders of ModCell^®
White Design
Research Partners
University of Bath
Lime Technology
Eurban
Agrifibre
Centre for Window and Cladding
Technology
Funding Body
Technology Strategy Board