Prefabricated straw bale construction
Integral have been, for some years, one of the industry partners developing the use of pre-fabricated straw bale panel systems resulting in a UK patent. With our co-founders and the University of Bath we have developed a fully prefabricated panel system that exceeds current Building Regulations. This has entailed a number of research projects funded by the Technology Strategy Board and we have successfully used the panel in education and housing projects including LILAC Housing, Knowle West Media Centre and Hayesfield Girls’ School STEM Centre.
Normally a waste material, straw has very good insulative properties and, when compressed to the levels required for a building material, chars rather than burns making it naturally fire resistant.