At Modulina Straw Panels, we believe that the future of construction lies in collaboration and shared knowledge. Despite representing a competitor of our company, Veselin Moskov’s extensive experience and contributions to the field of eco-construction are invaluable. His dedication to using natural materials and his innovative approach to building align with our mission to promote sustainable practices and straw as a material of the future. By featuring Veselin in our “Voices of Innovation” series, we aim to highlight the importance of collective efforts in driving the industry towards a more sustainable future. In our preliminary communication with Veselin he expressed the main thing, which unites us all who are working with straw and promoting natural materials: “We are in the same boat and have a common idea and view of the sustainable future for generations to come.”

Meet Veselin Moskov
Veselin Moskov, a 46-year-old eco-construction expert from Bulgaria, has 12 years of experience in building with natural materials. He founded Barbali Ltd. and represents one of the biggest European manufacturers of the straw panels. Veselin also co-founded Nomad Cabins, focusing on prefabricated tiny houses. He lives in France and remotely conducts the projects in his country of origin as well as consults clients on sustainability in construction. His certificates brilliantly outline the range of expertise and we are happy to talk with Veselin about his prospective on the shaping the future of construction.
Kateryna Pylypchuk: From your perspective, how have sustainable construction trends evolved globally, and what impact do these trends have on industry practices?
Veselin Moskov: From my perspective, sustainable construction is developing at a very fast tempo and I think it will displace conventional construction methods in the very near future. This can be clearly seen because of established and developing practices in the global construction industry, like:
Green building certification systems like BREEM, LEED and WELL. They push for material efficiency, energy savings, water conservation and indoor environmental quality.
Prioritizing Renewable Energy like solar, wind and geothermal energy. That will reduce using of fossil fuels, will decrease operational costs and carbon footprint. Many architects and engineers start to implement these technologies very actively in their designs.
Choosing natural building materials that store CO2 and are the basis for reducing the harmful impact of the construction industry on the planet and is an important point in the fight against climate change. Examples of such materials are: straw, hemp, clay, reeds, etc.
Using of recycled materials materials in construction, recycled concrete for foundation is a good example for that.
Using of Smart technologies. Buildings are becoming more intelligent, using sensors, data analytics and automation to optimize energy and water use. That have a big impact and increases energy efficiency and reduces costs. More and more architects and construction professionals start to use digital technologies.
Kateryna Pylypchuk: Could you identify some key innovative technologies or materials that are reshaping the construction industry today?
Veselin Moskov: Of the construction materials and systems, I would focus on the following: straw panel systems, hemp concrete systems, compressed earth systems, inflatable cellulose systems, CLT systems. A combination of some of these is also possible, and we have good observations on the combination between CLT and straw panels for higher-rise construction. Each system has its advantages and disadvantages, but the important thing is that they are all oriented towards a more sustainable construction. As far as the technologies are concerned I would list the following:
- Building Information Modeling (BIM) – digital representation of a building project, allowing architects , engineers and contractors to collaborate and visualize the project in 3D before construction begins. This leads to more efficient design and reduced waste.
- Robotics, machines and automation – this allows greater precision and speed in the production of building systems and in their assembly.
- 3D Pinting is being used to create building components, reducing construction time and labor costs. There are a lot of examples of clay printed houses.
– The usage of different software programs to calculate energy efficiency and LCA. This allows the architects to make easier decisions about the materials and systems to be used, as well as the development of the entire project to its finalisation.
Kateryna Pylypchuk: Reflecting on your career journey, what critical advice would you offer to those newly entering the construction profession?
Veselin Moskov: I would advise them to constantly upskill themselves to improve their skills. Learn about new technologies and gain experience through various certification trainings in sustainable construction. To not be afraid to ask and learn from others with more experience and last but not least to learn to work as a team with architects, engineers and builders.
Kateryna Pylypchuk: Looking ahead, what is your vision for integrating sustainable materials like straw panels into future construction and design practices?
Veselin Moskov: In recent years, straw panels are proving their advantages as a building material ready to completely replace conventional construction. Many manufacturers of different straw systems have emerged, some of them have managed to certify their systems and carry out a number of practical laboratory tests that prove their qualities (e.g. fire resistance, earthquake resistance, sound insulation, energy efficiency). In addition to the large growth of single-family houses, large public buildings and projects have also started to appear, which is a good sign of a bright future for the development of such building systems. Combining straw panels with systems such as CLT and rammed earth will allow taller buildings to be designed and implemented. Good thing is that costumers are becoming more informed and demanding eco-friendly products and building solutions.
Kateryna Pylypchuk: What specific sustainability challenges should the construction industry prioritize addressing in the near term?
Veselin Moskov: Reducing the carbon footprint of the construction industry will be the biggest challenge. People have to prioritize the use of low-embodied carbon materials like straw, hemp, wood, bamboo, recycled materials and bio-based materials. So it is good to keep talking about it and educating people on this topic.
The other two very important challenges are energy efficiency and water conservation. Buildings are responsible for a significant portion of global energy consumption. Already at the design stage we have to focus on that and there has to be very good synergy in the team and everything has to be designed so that the building can be as energy efficient as possible. For example: implement design strategies as natural ventilation, sun shading, renewable energy sources like solar and wind and utilize efficient building systems like straw panels. Construction and building operations often lead to water waste and pollution. Solution for that is to adopt water-efficient fixtures, use rainwater harvesting systems and implement methods that minimize water usage.
There are many more challenges that should not be underestimated , such as: waste reduction and recycling, saving ecosystems and durable building practices, social equity…
Kateryna Pylypchuk: Where do you see the greatest opportunity for innovation in architectural design, particularly with eco-friendly materials?
Veselin Moskov: The straw panel system itself is an innovation, as it combines structural element with the best insulation. The use of natural materials as straw panel allows a great variety in architectural designs and the choice of all kinds of shapes and architectural styles without limitations. In my opinion, the design and prefabrication of whole facade elements will lead the way in speeding up the construction process of medium and larger buildings. Learning all sorts of pre-design software, calculating energy efficiency, BIM, LCA, solar gains and losses and more are also important innovations and will help architects in the their search for the best design. The use of green wall vegetation materials and systems and green roofs with their help to reduce heat islands in cities and reduce temperature in summer months are also challenging architects.
Kateryna Pylypchuk: How can industry professionals more effectively incorporate sustainable solutions, such as bio-based materials like straw panels, into their projects?
Veselin Moskov: Training should be organised more often for professionals in the field, such as: architects, engineers, builders and people from the construction industry. There is still a distrust of natural materials, but this is due to ignorance and lack of awareness. Training and lecturing in universities is also very important. Another tool is social networks and the Internet. Creating accessible online resources, such as guides, FAQs and case studies, can provide available information on this topic.
Lobbying municipalities and governments, standardizing eco-materials with relevant building codes and getting them recognized at government level. This will go a long way in boosting people’s confidence.
Collaboration and partnerships between architects, engineers, contractors, material suppliers, NGO’s are also very important point to develop innovative solutions.
I also believe that carrying out constant technical tests and obtaining various certificates contributes to confidence and increases the chances of using environmentally friendly building systems.
Kateryna Pylypchuk: What approaches have proven successful in your experience for promoting sustainability within construction projects?
Veselin Moskov: I have always put energy efficiency, indoor climate and a healthy living environment first. Of course, I also always talk about global priorities, such as reducing the carbon footprint and combating climate change.
Kateryna Pylypchuk: In striving for environmental preservation, how do you maintain a balance with the demands of modern construction?
Veselin Moskov: Balancing environmental preservation with modern construction demands is a constant challenge, but it’s possible.
There are several aspects that designers should always consider:
- Every project have to create and implement an erosion and sedimentation control plan to control erosion and watering down the site. Strip footings or concrete steps can be designed that require less digging and less concrete. There are also solutions for smaller single-family buildings that are concrete-free, such as earth anchors/screws. Greenfield areas are habitats for many animals, insects and plant life that support biodiversity. We know, that biodiversity increases ecosystem productivity and can help ecosystem to prevent and recover from many disasters.
- Reducing the size of building footprint is another strategy and its important for cost savings and reduction of environmental impact. Designing a smaller footprint will reduce the construction impact to the land, reduce building material costs, reduce the costs of mechanical systems and the cost of heating, air conditioning, and ventilating the building.
- Increasing site density is also important strategy to achieve a smaller building footprint without cutting square feet. Building “up” rather than “out” maximizes the floor area ratio (FAR) of a building project. The higher the density of a building project and the smaller the footprint, the less environmental impact the building has on the land.
- Plant native and adapted plants, they can be also important part of restoring habitats to their natural state.
- Every project have to include rainwater management. It requires the issues that rainwater presents in the context of the build environment. Hardscape surfaces cause rainwater to collect and leave the site as runoff. Rainwater runoff from building site can disrupt natural hydrology, contaminate nearby bodies of water with nonpoint source pollution, compromise wildlife habitat, and contribute to soil erosion and collapse. That’s why its important to have a plan for collecting rain water, use green roofs (where its possible), use porous pavers for sidewalks and parking spaces (they can eliminate large pools of standing water that frequently result from rainstorms and snowmelt)
- Prevent heat Island effect, which is an increase in microclimate temperatures created by waste heat from human activity, building operation and surfaces in the built environment that absorb sunlight. We can reduce it using plants as green roofs and green walls systems, providing shades using trees and use plasters and paints with high solar reflectance.
Kateryna Pylypchuk: The importance of education and awareness in sustainable construction is undeniable. How can these elements be enhanced to support the industry’s evolution?
Veselin Moskov: I believe that specialised technical and architectural universities, and not only universities but also technical schools, should: introduce required programmes and modules to study: LCA (Life Cycle Assessment), green building materials and technologies, sustainable site design, energy efficiency and renewable energy, waste management and recycling and promote and encourage professionals to obtain certifications like LEED and BREEAM.
As I mentioned in a previous response, using social media and platforms to promote sustainable building is very important and is not just about directly advertising a product, rather it is important to reflect the views of people already living in such eco-friendly homes.
Engaging banks and government structures in providing low-interest loans for green and energy-efficient homes is also important to do. Its possible with future collaboration between industry professionals (putting aside that there are many competing systems, products, etc., we are all “floating in the same boat” and striving for a brighter future for our children.), academia and government agencies to create a unified approach to inform society.
Kateryna Pylypchuk: With straw panels as a case study, could you discuss the benefits and challenges of using bio-based materials in construction?
Veselin Moskov: Want to live in a healthy, energy efficient and comfortable home? Then build it the best way possible – sustainably, with natural materials, without CO2 and nitrogen emissions and with a healthy indoor climate. This can be achieved by designing and building a prefabricated straw panel house.
Mankind has been building straw houses for centuries. Some houses have straw roofs and others have straw walls plastered with clay. The thick walls of these homes have sheltered people against harsh winters and scorching summers around the world.
Why would you be interested in living in a straw house built from natural materials? Is it for its low carbon footprint or for its excellent energy efficiency and sound insulation? A quality straw house can easily meet the above criteria. However, this is not all that makes this house unique – a straw house can regulate the humidity in the air inside and compensate for significant deviations from the recommended level of 40-60% relative humidity (RH).Conventional houses achieve such humidity levels only with dedicated devices. Humidity is an important factor for both our health and the well-being of the house.
Let’s look at straw construction methods. Traditional straw bale construction methods require a very lengthy technological process involving quite labour intensive activities to build the paired timber structure on site, with most of the time going into the assembly and compaction of the straw bales. In order to obtain a quality wall, it is important to seal very well around and between the bales. This involves many difficulties and is a risky undertaking, as the bales must be protected from rain at all times until the roof is covered. The pressing of the straw is one of the most important operations – something really difficult to achieve when a whole straw bale is used, as in most cases the bales vary in size and density. In my opinion, the installation of whole bales reduces the qualities of the wall, as the insulation properties of the wall along its length are different due to a difference with its compressibility.
Nowadays, people are increasingly feeling the penetration of high technology and along with that they are more and more interested in combining it with quality natural materials to achieve an energy efficient and healthy home with a modern look. Can and how do we combine the knowledge of our ancestors from the past with modern technology and best practices from the present?
The revolutionary solution in the world of straw building and prefabricated houses made of natural materials has been around for more than 10 years and is called – load-bearing straw panels or modules. It is not just a solution, but a whole system of complementary materials that removes all the disadvantages of traditional straw bale construction and at the same time has many advantages.
The system uses LEGO constructor-like building blocks with a wooden double frame and compressed straw, which are manufactured in the company’s factory and transported to be erected on site. Assembly requires a short time without rainfall- no more than 2-3 days are sufficient to fully assemble the modules of 140 m2 facade. The walls can then be easily wrapped with a membrane until the roof is complete to avoid getting wet if rain falls or there are other adverse weather conditions.
Some of the most important advantages of the system are:
– best insulation with U factor = 0.11 , class A+++, is
energy efficient, yet comfortable building with a healthy indoor climate, protecting against allergies and other diseases;
– fully breathable certified system;
– fast turnkey construction – up to 2 months.;
– negative CO2 footprint. Straw is a waste product of cereals- it is the stalks of wheat, rye, barley, etc. The material grows much faster than wood. With 93% straw, 6% wood and 1% steel in the form of screws, such a home absorbs rather than gives off CO2;
– saving on heating and cooling costs;
– added value over time due to reduced heating costs and potentially better health for those living in such a house;
– high earthquake resistance;
– fire resistance – starts to burn after the second hour as the straw in the panel is very compressed and has no oxygen;
– easily adaptable to any architectural project and design.
Let’s go back now a little bit on the indoor climate and comfort. Probably the most important aspect of a thatch wall is its ability to work extremely well with water vapor and moisture. Clay is vapor permeable, so it can simply “skip” the humidity outside while trapping a small portion for itself. This permeability is essential to the “breathable” quality of the walls.
We plaster the inside of the facades with a thick clay plaster that acts as a variable membrane (by buffering and transmitting moisture in both directions depending on interior conditions). In this way, the compressed straw embedded in the module serves as a true vapour permeable core, thermal insulation, plastered with a layer of clay plaster to control humidity and provide thermal mass. The clay plaster really works wonders: it controls humidity from the inside, accumulates heat, removes unpleasant odors, purifies the air from harmful emissions and radiation, creates unique comfort, coziness and aesthetics.
The outside of the facade can be plastered with lime plasters. If the project allows it, we recommend finishing the exterior walls with a ventilated facade for optimal results. The exterior will be wrapped with a vapor permeable membrane taped to seal. An additional natural insulation layer is installed on top to protect the membrane physically and keep it warm in cold outside temperatures and also to push the condensation point out – beyond the membrane. Excess moisture from the external insulation is then naturally vented into the 50 mm. slot behind the facade.
Now is the time to look at things a little more globally. We have talked about our health, but we should also think about the health of our planet and climate change. In most European countries, legislation has begun to change and not only single-family houses are being built en masse from natural materials, but also entire public buildings – there are many examples of kindergartens, schools, hospitals, libraries and so on.
The prefabricated straw panel system is now slightly more expensive than commonly used building materials, but once this building system is implemented on a larger scale, it becomes cost competitive. In addition, large CO2 tax reductions on building materials have started to come into force in the EU, and the straw choice then becomes even more attractive from a financial point of view.
Kateryna Pylypchuk: In a systematic approach, what strategies do you believe are crucial for reducing carbon emissions in the building industry?
Veselin Moskov: Strategies can be set from the design, go through the construction itself and must be implemented in the operation of the building. I will quickly go through some of them. For example in the design stage we can mention importance of passive design with maximum natural light and ventilation, prioritizing low-carbon materials, integrating in project energy saving lighting and water systems, exploring options like solar panels and wind turbines or geothermal energy. In my opinion prefabrication and modular design is also a very important strategy, because reduce on-site construction waste and saves time. In operation building stage is good to implement smart systems for optimizing energy consumption throughout the building’s lifecycle.
Globally its important to update building codes, offer financial incentives for adopting sustainable building technologies and materials, implement carbon pricing mechanisms to stimulate reduction of emissions and develop innovative technologies and materials that can further reduce the carbon footprint of buildings.
We want to thank Veselin Moskov for this very interesting interview and shared expertise and practices which give the hope that the construction has a very healthy and eco-friendly future. We are really in one boat heading to the sustainability of our planet.