Uploaded April 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
Join us for an informative webinar on Straw Structural Insulated Panels (S-SIPs), which combine modern techniques with the sustainability of natural building practices. Made from compressed agricultural byproducts like straw, these carbon-negative and highly insulative panels revolutionize construction by repurposing waste and reducing reliance on petrochemical foams. We will discuss this technology that includes fire-retardant properties, excellent thermal resistance, and improved indoor air quality while minimizing thermal bridging for energy-efficient interiors. The session will also cover the efficient construction process, which accelerates project timelines and reduces waste. Don’t miss the chance to learn how straw S-SIPs can enhance your projects' efficiency and sustainability.
Continuing Education Units (CEUS) submitted 1 hour in*
Green Business Certification Inc. (GBCI)
Building Performance Institute (BPI) WholeHouse
Submitted for American Institute of Architects - AIA (HSW)**
Certified Green Professional (NARI & CGP)
GHI Certified GreenHome Professional (CGHP) Pillar(s): Energy, Health, Materials, Place
American Institute of Building Designers (AIBD)
Building Science Institute (BSI) Verifier,
Passive House Consultant US (CPHC),
Society of American Registered Architects (SARA)
**State Architect / Builder License may be applicable
Need CEUS?
Take the Quiz here:
greenhomeinstitute.thinkific.com/courses/what-you-need-to-know-about-straw-structural-insulated-panels-s-sips
Speakers
Ellis Wills-Begley has 10+ years of experience in Residential Architecture. He is an expert of natural and recycled materials, and advocates for the long term health of the environment and positive social impact. He has worked and studied in Chicago, where he conducted a research fellowship about accessibility and inclusive design, Ann Arbor, where he received both Bachelor’s and Master's in Architecture from University of Michigan, and Paris, where he held a teaching assistant position and subsequent artist residency at the Fontainebleau Ecoles des Beaux-Arts. He is now a registered Architect in Michigan, and an advocate for affordable, accessible, healthy housing.
Sophie Pacelko has a Master's in Architecture from the University of Michigan and Bachelor's in Environmental Science from the University of Florida. While pursuing her master's she was awarded with the Metropolis Top 100 Graduate Designers in the US, the ARCC King Student Medal, awarded in four student shows, and held several graduate student instructor positions at U of M. Sophie is dedicated to design, research, environmental education, and regenerative agriculture. She also has an extensive farming and ecology background, including a number of years working at Apricot Lane Farms in California, a regenerative, organic, biodynamic farm.
Lessons Learned
1. Understand how Straw Structural Insulated Panels (S-SIPs) can significantly improve indoor air quality, contributing to better health outcomes in living and working spaces.
2. Analyze the fire-retardant properties of S-SIPs, which enhance safety during construction and occupancy by reducing the risk of fire hazards.
3. Introduce the concept of using agricultural byproducts in building materials, which supports sustainable practices and promotes welfare by minimizing waste.
4. Articulate the importance of energy efficiency in construction with S-SIPs, as it not only lowers energy costs but also benefits the environment and community well-being.
For all GHI webinars, find additional articles, survey results and Q&A follow up on our blogs with associated sessions greenhomeinstitute.org/blog
Join us for an informative webinar on Straw Structural Insulated Panels (S-SIPs), which combine modern techniques with the sustainability of natural building practices. Made from compressed agricultural byproducts like straw, these carbon-negative and highly insulative panels revolutionize construction by repurposing waste and reducing reliance on petrochemical foams. We will discuss this technology that includes fire-retardant properties, excellent thermal resistance, and improved indoor air quality while minimizing thermal bridging for energy-efficient interiors. The session will also cover the efficient construction process, which accelerates project timelines and reduces waste. Don’t miss the chance to learn how straw S-SIPs can enhance your projects' efficiency and sustainability.
Continuing Education Units (CEUS) submitted 1 hour in*
Green Business Certification Inc. (GBCI)
Building Performance Institute (BPI) WholeHouse
Submitted for American Institute of Architects - AIA (HSW)**
Certified Green Professional (NARI & CGP)
GHI Certified GreenHome Professional (CGHP) Pillar(s): Energy, Health, Materials, Place
American Institute of Building Designers (AIBD)
Building Science Institute (BSI) Verifier,
Passive House Consultant US (CPHC),
Society of American Registered Architects (SARA)
**State Architect / Builder License may be applicable
Need CEUS?
Take the Quiz here:
greenhomeinstitute.thinkific.com/courses/what-you-need-to-know-about-straw-structural-insulated-panels-s-sips
Speakers
Ellis Wills-Begley has 10+ years of experience in Residential Architecture. He is an expert of natural and recycled materials, and advocates for the long term health of the environment and positive social impact. He has worked and studied in Chicago, where he conducted a research fellowship about accessibility and inclusive design, Ann Arbor, where he received both Bachelor’s and Master's in Architecture from University of Michigan, and Paris, where he held a teaching assistant position and subsequent artist residency at the Fontainebleau Ecoles des Beaux-Arts. He is now a registered Architect in Michigan, and an advocate for affordable, accessible, healthy housing.
Sophie Pacelko has a Master's in Architecture from the University of Michigan and Bachelor's in Environmental Science from the University of Florida. While pursuing her master's she was awarded with the Metropolis Top 100 Graduate Designers in the US, the ARCC King Student Medal, awarded in four student shows, and held several graduate student instructor positions at U of M. Sophie is dedicated to design, research, environmental education, and regenerative agriculture. She also has an extensive farming and ecology background, including a number of years working at Apricot Lane Farms in California, a regenerative, organic, biodynamic farm.
Lessons Learned
1. Understand how Straw Structural Insulated Panels (S-SIPs) can significantly improve indoor air quality, contributing to better health outcomes in living and working spaces.
2. Analyze the fire-retardant properties of S-SIPs, which enhance safety during construction and occupancy by reducing the risk of fire hazards.
3. Introduce the concept of using agricultural byproducts in building materials, which supports sustainable practices and promotes welfare by minimizing waste.
4. Articulate the importance of energy efficiency in construction with S-SIPs, as it not only lowers energy costs but also benefits the environment and community well-being.
For all GHI webinars, find additional articles, survey results and Q&A follow up on our blogs with associated sessions greenhomeinstitute.org/blog
