Oikos

We spend 90% of our time indoors but often overlook the importance of a healthy home. A house should ensure both physical and mental well-being, protecting health while respecting the environment.
This article explores the main components of residential comfort and the risks of indoor pollution, such as the presence of VOC and “sick building syndrome”, proposing an integrate approach that blends science, culture and the care of living spaces.

In the late 19th century, Nebraska settlers began building homes with straw bales, turning agricultural waste into innovative dwellings. Despite cultural prejudices, this technique proved resilient and sustainable, spreading to Europe in the 20th century. Today straw use in green building is growing, thanks to its benefits in energy efficiency, living comfort and sustainability.

One of materials frequently use in our buildings in reed mat: reed in an efficient and sustainable material. But it also is a material which has a long history in tradizional architectures. In this post we talk about some history and explain why use it today.