Emily Chan
Henning Larsen used highly compacted straw as wall insulation and tested how it stood up to issues like mold, rats, and fire.
It was also designed to be taken apart at the end of its lifespan and fit together like Lego blocks in the back of one truck, according to Strømann.
The eelgrass served as another innovative and sustainable resource. The plant washes up on the shores of Denmark. But instead of letting it rot away on the beaches, it can be utilized as a solution for ventilation.
The salty nature of the seaweed offers protection from mold and fire without the need for it to be chemically treated.
When inserted as a filter into a ventilation unit, the eelgrass can keep levels of humidity and carbon dioxide in classrooms at steady rates. It can even help neutralize food odors during lunchtime.
This straw and seaweed-based architecture shows a lot of promise. It is hoped that the wall system can be applied to larger warehouses and other storage facilities that are traditionally assembled with concrete and steel.
