The use and demand for natural materials in architecture and interior design have facilitated the revival of updated traditional construction systems for the contemporary context. What was once considered rustic is now being explored in more modern settings; therefore, the application of the material is also subject to new forms of fixation, coloring, and orientation (horizontal or vertical). While wood is the dominant material in traditional systems and environmentally sustainable materials, another material that has been used for centuries, equally sustainable and biodegradable, and has received less attention is straw.
In tropical climates, straw finds widespread use as a roofing material thanks to its versatile construction capabilities, lightweight structure, and effective thermal properties, making it an ideal choice for upper closures. However, it can also serve as a vertical enclosure and, depending on the type performs admirably as wall cladding. The standardized use of straw in construction hinges on the industrial processing of raw materials for large-scale production, a practice still lacking in the industry but showing promising signs of development in a few instances.
