Barbali Ltd

Construction techniques with natural materials Buildings made of natural (technologically unprocessed) materials create an optimal and healthy indoor microclimate that is difficult to achieve with industrial construction systems. Thanks to the natural interaction between humidity, temperature and air circulation, these homes provide year‑round living comfort. Materials such as wood, straw, clay and reed allow the construction of “breathing” houses – without toxic emissions, without harmful chemicals and without negative impact on nature. Due to their natural properties, these materials regulate humidity, maintain a stable indoor climate, offer excellent thermal insulation characteristics and create a cozy, aesthetic and harmonious living environment. Barbali offers several proven techniques for construction with natural materials: System: Timber frame with straw bales What it is: This is a classic and time‑tested technique in which a load‑bearing wooden structure of beams and columns is built. The spaces between them are filled with straw bales, which act as enclosing and insulating material. Both sides of the walls are plastered with clay‑lime plasters, which further improve vapor permeability and protection. The intermediate floors and roof structures are also wooden, and the window joinery is usually wooden to preserve the natural character of the building. The foundation can be point, strip reinforced concrete or stone, depending on the project and terrain. Specifics: Straw is one of the most effective natural insulation materials, with a thermal conductivity coefficient λ = 0.05 W/mK. This makes it extremely suitable for low‑energy and passive buildings. However, the technique requires high precision – correct bale density, moisture control, quality timber structure and careful detailing. Most commonly used bale dimensions: 35 cm (height) × 45 cm (width) × 85–90 cm (length). Rye straw bales are preferred, harvested in July–August. By this time the wooden structure and roof must be completed. Thermal performance: U = 0.123 W/m²K – a value that allows achieving a high class of energy efficiency when executed correctly. Execution time: 9–10 months Price: Upon request and after a specific project. System: Ecococon compressed rye straw panels Barbali Ltd. is the official representative of Ecococon for Bulgaria. What it is: Ecococon is a modern modular system consisting of prefabricated panels – wooden frames filled with compressed rye straw. The panels are manufactured individually for each project, ensuring precision, fast installation and minimal environmental footprint. This is a 100% natural, recyclable and certified product with over 10 years of proven performance on the European market. The panels act as a load‑bearing structure, eliminating the need for an additional timber frame. Intermediate floors and roof structures are wooden, and wooden joinery is recommended. The foundation can be point, strip or stone. Specifics: The complete certified Ecococon system includes: – 40 cm panel – vapor barrier – Steico wood fiber board – clay plaster on both sides (or wooden cladding) Thermal performance: U = 0.11 W/m²K – a value exceeding passive house requirements (U ≤ 0.138 W/m²K). This means that with proper execution the building can be certified as a passive house through PHPP calculations and tests. Incomplete Ecococon system: 40 cm panel + clay‑lime plasters on both sides U = 0.138 W/m²K – still better than regulatory requirements (U ≤ 0.28 W/m²K).

We Create for You
We plan to open the BARBALI Center – a building combining different natural construction techniques. We hope that in the future it will host training courses and seminars.

At the same time, we intend to develop and promote various materials and tools for natural building.

It is important for us to fulfill the dreams of people who want to live in healthy and economical homes.

Our activities are focused on:

• 1. Creating various low‑energy houses combining different natural building techniques: straw bale houses, wattle and daub, cob, adobe houses and mixed techniques;
• 2. Application of clay plasters;
• 3. Restoration of old houses;
• 4. Insulation of buildings with ecological reed panels;
• 5. Timber structures;
• 6. Roof repairs;
• 7. Application of Moroccan Tadelakt plasters;
• 8. Consulting and project management.

Construction techniques with natural materials Buildings made of natural (technologically unprocessed) materials create an optimal, healthy indoor microclimate and living comfort (balance between humidity, temperature and air circulation). Natural materials such as wood, straw and clay create “breathing” houses without toxic emissions inside the rooms, without harming nature or people. Due to their natural qualities, these materials regulate indoor humidity, provide good thermal insulation and, not least, create coziness and aesthetics for the occupants.