Modulina Straw Panels award-winning project in Birštonas
This house is designed to meet the needs of both the owner and the town, featuring a meticulously planned layout, sustainable solutions, and architectural choices that complement the traditional scenery of Birštonas in form, materials, and construction.
The construction materials chosen for this house are both innovative and well-suited to the Lithuanian environment. The external walls utilize locally produced prefabricated straw panels, providing excellent insulation. Internal walls are insulated with grass fibre on a timber frame, and clay plaster is used for the interior finish. For roof insulation, blown-in wood fibre is employed. Additionally, the house features a high-efficiency air-to-water heat pump for radiant floor heating and cooling. To further enhance sustainability, solar panel tiles are installed on the southern roof side to generate electricity.
The uniqueness of this house lies in a few key elements:
- sustainability and eco-friendliness without compromising the contemporary appearance,
- combination of traditional and modern materials,
- a particularly accurately designed process which has sped up the construction time,
- great consideration for energy-saving and comfort solutions,
- contribution to the environment not only by the choice of materials but also by the choice of architectural design.
Comfort, Energy and Environment of the Active House Awards 2024 winning house
The comfort of the house
Internally, clay plaster serves as a dual-functioning thermal and moisture buffer. Its thermal mass helps stabilize indoor temperatures by reducing fluctuations. Even during hot summer days when sunlight enters through open doors, the rapid temperature increase is mitigated as the clay plaster absorbs and slowly releases heat. During cooler summer nights, natural ventilation effectively dissipates the heat stored in the clay plaster, preparing the space for the next warm day. This process reduces reliance on mechanical ventilation, conserves energy, and enhances thermal comfort indoors.
In addition, clay plaster creates anti-static surfaces meaning that all the dust (potential allergens) is not moving so much. This decreased symptoms of allergies related to airborne particles.
Energy of the house
The house was initially designed to meet the mandatory energy class A+ standards. However, during the construction phase, the energy calculations underwent a thorough evaluation by the authorities. As a result, the project was upgraded to achieve the highest energy class in Lithuania, A++. The energy design for heating was notably efficient, with a consumption rate of 24.89 kWh/m2*year.
The environment of the house
The external walls are constructed using prefabricated straw panels, with a double stud C24 (45×95 mm) timber frame optimized for load-bearing capacities specific to this project. Similarly, the roof structure utilizes I-joists instead of full-section solid timber, minimizing the use of structural timber. Blown-in wood fibre insulation was selected for the roof I-joists, chosen for its ecological and economically viable properties. The wall panels are uniformly filled with compressed straw, sourced from a production site located 260 km away from the building site. Additionally, the raw material, straw, was sourced within a 10 km radius around the production plant, significantly reducing CO2 emissions associated with transportation. Straw panels should also be mentioned as a perfect example of the circular economy. Straw is a crop agricultural by-product upcycled for a new life as a different product and becomes insulation fulfilling circular economy philosophy at its best.
The Active House Awards 2024 in the Principal Category was won, serving as a testament to dedication to innovation, sustainability, and excellence in construction. The project in Birštonas stands as a prime example of how cutting-edge technology can be integrated with traditional materials to create a home that prioritizes human well-being, environmental stewardship, and architectural harmony. Through the utilization of locally sourced prefabricated straw panels, timber frames, and clay plaster, a balance between modern comfort and eco-friendliness was achieved. Not only does the house meet the highest energy efficiency standards, but it also contributes to a healthier indoor environment and reduces its carbon footprint. From construction speed to thermal comfort and sound insulation, every aspect of this project reflects the commitment to sustainable building practices.
