Back to basics in current architecture: uses, possibilities, strengths and weaknesses of straw as an eco-material

Abstract

What is the most suitable compound for this area and its natural conditions? Nature can help answer this. One possibility is straw, which as an agricultural residue is present in all regions of the planet. Despite its abundance, there can be no bioconstruction if the material, in addition to being natural, local, and ecological (because it’s biodegradable), isn’t sustainable. This involves being readily available, accessible, cheaper than other alternatives, and having a minimal carbon footprint in its production, treatment, and transport. These strengths coexist with weaknesses such as its lack of resilience and its risk of decomposition, which must be considered and mitigated to strengthen the principles of bio architecture in the 21st century.