Comparison of energy-effective components of a building envelope with natural fibres and straw balesA case study in the Sierra Region of Ecuador

Abstract

The construction of housing and infrastructure is one of the largest contributors topollution, as it accounts for around 21% of global CO2 emissions. Reducing the impact ofbuilding materials is key to curb climate change. This paper evaluated hygrothermalperformance of a case study, Natura y Arte house, built in the Ecuadorian Andes regionusing straw bales and natural fibres in the years 2021-2022, at 3200 meters above sea level,with mostly constant temperatures throughout the year with great variations from day tonight. For this, the research applied on-site monitoring of exterior and interior areas and sixsurfaces of various components of the building envelope. Walls, floor, and roof assemblieswere 2D-FE modelled, including straw bale walls rendered with clay, insulated floor, andcomposite roof with various fibres. Main results show that straw bale walls provide higherinsulation over the other building components, U-value of 0.24 W/m²K was met. The passivedesign also contributed to a highly insulated building envelope with minimal heat loss,creating a consistently comfortable indoor environment while significantly reducing energyconsumption.