Construction is considered as one of the most relevant sectors in terms of environmental impacts, due to the significant use of raw materials, fossil energy consumption and the consequent Greenhouse Gases emissions. The use of […]
Biological stabilisers in Earthen Construction: A mechanistic understanding of their response to water-ingress
Earthen construction is regaining popularity as an ecological and economical alternative to contemporary building materials. While building with earth offers several benefits, its performance due to water ingress is a concern for its widespread application. […]
Bamboo bio-concrete as an alternative for buildings’ climate change mitigation and adaptation
This study aims to present a framework to quantify the climate change impact during the buildings’ life cycle. The proposed framework is tested on a bamboo bio-concrete (BBC) building and compared with conventional constructive systems, […]
Shifting sand: Why we’re running out of aggregate
With global demand for building sand tripling in the last 20 years, unregulated sand mining is decimating rivers and coastlines in the developing world, enabled by political corruption and “sand mafias”. This article outlines the […]
Invasive alien biomass is used as an alternative aggregate to concrete
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 […]
Alternative, safer, dignified sustainable, affordable housing in South Africa – Venice Architectural Biennale, 2021
In partnership with the Block Research Group, based at ETH Zurich, the exhibit presents innovative material and construction methods that have the potential to provide safe and dignified housing in South Africa in a more […]