A comprehensive hygrothermal approach to interfaces

The analysis of interfaces in straw-based construction cannot be limited to a one-off review of construction details. It must be part of a comprehensive hygrothermal assessment of the building, taking into account heat transfer, water vapor flow, and the materials’ capacity for temporary moisture storage.

The interfaces discussed in the previous sections – wall bases, wall heads, openings, penetrations – are not isolated points. They constitute areas where the thermal field is disrupted, where diffusion resistances vary abruptly, and where drying conditions may be locally altered. Their behavior depends as much on the quality of construction details as on the climate, interior use, and the overall vapor management strategy.