As the construction sector strives to meet climate goals, the importance of sustainable building practices is increasingly recognized. The INNOSTROH research project addresses this need by harnessing straw, an abundantly available and renewable agricultural byproduct, as a key material in load-bearing construction. While straw bale construction has historical roots in rural USA since the late 19th century and is gaining popularity in Europe, it faces challenges such as material variability and a lack of standardization.

A collaborative effort between architecture and civil engineering institutes, INNOSTROH is dedicated to advancing the use of straw bales as a standardized load-bearing building material. While the partnering institutes explore the physical properties of straw, InfAU focuses on the digitalization aspects of the project. Our main objective is to develop a suite of digital tools that address the challenges posed by the natural inconsistencies of straw, such as variability in dimensions, density, and humidity. These tools, equipped with optimization algorithms, aim to aid architects and planners in selecting the most suitable bales for their designs, thereby reducing material wastage.

The physical data gathered through the collaborative efforts of the project partners will be incorporated into a BIM library. This integration aims to enhance the collaboration between architects and engineers by providing accessible, standardized data for use in the design and construction processes.

The INNOSTROH project exemplifies the future of sustainable construction through the optimization and digitalization of building processes using renewable materials. By automating the selection and use of straw bales, the project seeks to reduce environmental impact and foster a shift towards more resource-efficient construction practices.

For more information, visit INNOSTROH.

Project Partners:

• Chair of Modelling and Simulation – Construction (MSK) - Prof. Dr. Guido Morgenthal

• Chair of Steel and Hybrid Construction (SH) - Prof. Dr. Matthias Kraus

• Chair of Informatics in Architecture (InfAU) - Prof. Dr. Reinhard König, Dr. Sven Schneider

• Material Research and Testing Institute at the Bauhaus-Universität Weimar (MFPA) - Dr. Stefan Helbig

Project Funding:

• Thüringer Aufbaubank