[Strawbale] Strawbale project in Estonia

[Thomas Dimov]

Hi Ilja,

i have developed a new type of wood frame / straw bale / loam construction called „zero carbon building element“ (zcbe). After having built a sample house having done testings and filed patent application i would be interested to implement it on a larger scale. The zcbe has several advantages compared to existing construction methods. It is suitable as well for prefabrication in shop as for self building on site. The wall and platform elements have a U-value of around 0,1 W/m2K depending on the type of straw bales used.

The originality of the zcbe concept lies in the elementary and synergetic assembly of the parts: small strawbales are simply slided into the light-weight TJI joists and sealed with loam on the level of the flanges, the straw being a perfect underground. The loam ensures permanent capillary desiccation of the natural insulation material and prevention of fire, vermins and rotting. On the inside, an unbroken flax fleece soaked with clay slurry is glued on the loam infill and the wooden parts so as to form an airtight covering, vapour barrier and plaster base to be finished on site with a bio-fibre clay plaster. On the outside an airtight but water vapor open sheathing board from natural wood fibres can either be covered with direct render systems or with rear ventilated claddings.

The zcbe builds on an existing and technical approved construction system by STEICO, a well known german supplier of wood building products. 

I can counsel you on the design, provide you with the execution plans and accompany the building process.

Please contact me to provide you with detailed information.

Thomas


Thomas Dimov
Dipl. Arch. ETH
Karl-Stauffer-Strasse 3
CH-8008 Zürich
dimov at gmx.ch
+41 78 6014572