We are delighted to announce our latest ‘Ive got an idea’ Fund award to Antoinette Oni – an architectural designer, materials researcher and artist.

Antoinette is working on how to create thermal insulation boards from a composite based on abundant crop waste material here in the UK. She explains: “Finding uses for agricultural waste byproducts has become increasingly popular for material researchers in recent years as it’s such abundant biomass. However, a lot of the research is coming from tropical regions using crop waste relevant to those climates. What I’m proposing is utilising the most abundant crop waste in the UK, straw, to make a board that is completely circular and non-toxic with no additional binders. The process I’m developing draws on the amazing natural capabilities of the straw fibres. I’ve carried out extensive research and I’m yet to see my unique process published in any academic paper so far. Also, the application of this board as thermal insulation in the British climate is underexplored.” 

Our funding will enable Antionette to purchase the materials and equipment she needs to experiment with processing the material, build her first prototype and install it in conditions to test its durability and performance. We will follow her project with interest.