The provision of more sustainable, dignified social housing plays an important in role in responding to our climate change crisis. Through an inclusive, bottom-up co-design process we aim to develop housing models that directly address […]
Invasive alien plants as an alternative resource for concrete production
Today’s cities are ever-growing, especially in the Global South, inducing massive construction activity. To satisfy these needs we need feasible and environmentally sustainable construction materials, the use of local solutions and, if possible, to enable […]
The “Tree House” Eco-Lodge – a low-carbon demonstrator model
Located on the banks of the Sabie River, a demonstration tourist accommodation unit is being planned for construction in the Kruger National Park on the footprint of an existing dilapidated timber structure. The “Tree House” […]
Developing low-cement binders with invasive wood chip aggregate
The mechanically chipped biomass of water-thirsty Invading Alien Plants (IAP’s) to replace conventional aggregates is but one of several examples currently being researched and developed by nonCrete.com A recent paper emanating from the Chair of […]
The “Click Brick” – BRG ETH Zurich, South Africa
Self supporting, structural, interlocking, hand-pressed roof tiles Combined with structurally-informed fabrication techniques, this innovative building system demonstrates the potential of providing safer and more dignified housing alternatives in an affordable and sustainable manner. The self-supporting […]
Lightweight Funicular Floor – with no steel reinforcement
The lightweight funicular floor proposes an alternative construction method for casting floor and roof slabs. It demonstrates how structural geometry can significantly reduce resource consumption and enable the use of local and sustainable building materials. […]
Hand Woven Formwork
This research project is an offshoot of the development of the funicular flooring system which proposes to replace conventional shuttering with traditional woven mats when casting arched floor slabs. The beautiful, subtle patterned rendering of […]