They say that the most environmentally friendly building is one that already exists. What they mean by this is that the energy and resources that go into constructing a new building are through the roof (pun intended).
That said, while building a new home from brand-new materials, virgin lumber, and firsthand hardware can have quite a huge impact on the environment, many innovations are floating around that, at the very least, give a thought to the sustainability of the structure being built, the materials used and the longevity of said building.
Here is a whole bunch of OGP articles that look at and celebrate alternative, and eco-friendly building materials and practices that may just change the future of construction. Well, it has to, right?
1. Plastic Bottle Construction
In Panama, there is one village very unlike any other – that it is made in a great part out of … plastic. But, reading that, you should not imagine a row of tacky doll houses or ones made out of Legos – they’re made of plastic bottles, which turn out to be an incredibly durable material for the task and the final result is more than satisfying aesthetically. The buildings are put up with the use of recycled plastic bottles as the main insulation inside of the concrete walls. The project’s curators also underline that the materials are being reconstructed into residencies that are modern and stylish, but also high-quality, earthquake-resistant, and cool in temperature so that there is no need for air conditioning. Did you know that There’s a Village Completely Made of Plastic Bottles in Panama?
2. Building with Stone
Have you ever thought about the walls that surround you every day? Stone, an ancient yet timeless building material, is making a remarkable comeback. Unlike other contemporary materials like steel and concrete, stone has qualities that are not only aesthetically pleasing but also environmentally friendly. Steve Webb, Pierre Bidaud, and architect Amin Taha are three advocates who are on a mission to bring the stone back into modern construction. They believe that the stone’s beauty, strength, and durability make it well-suited for the future. How does stone stand out? Unlike steel and concrete, which require energy-consuming activities like extraction, smelting, and transport, stone only needs to be cut from a quarry and put in place. This makes its environmental impact far lower. To learn more about whether stone is a viable building material for the future, read- A Beautiful and Sustainable Building Material is Making a Comeback.
3. Seaweed Building Blocks
What if we could turn an environmental problem into a sustainable solution? That’s precisely what Omar de Jesús Vazquez Sánchez, a Mexican gardener, has achieved by transforming beached sargassum seaweed into eco-friendly construction materials. Tourists visiting Mexico’s pristine beaches often complain about piles of smelly seaweed. However, Omar saw potential in this seemingly undesirable substance. Governments in places like Cancun have had to clear away as much as 40,000 tons of sargassum, which has a rotten egg-like odor. Instead of letting it go to waste, Omar decided to turn it into adobe-like blocks for sustainable construction. To learn more about this ingenious idea, read about how a Gardener Turns a Pile of Beached Seaweed into Sustainable Building Blocks.
4. Building with Bamboo
In the evolving world of interior design, sustainable choices have become more crucial than ever. And in this movement, bamboo has emerged as a star, blending both eco-friendliness and aesthetic appeal. Why Bamboo? Well, its strength and versatility have made it a favorite for architects and designers. This fast-growing plant is not only strong and durable but also offers a myriad of design possibilities. From furniture like chairs and tables that evoke a warm, natural feeling, to wall panels that add texture and depth to a room, bamboo is redefining elegance in interior spaces. Find out more about Why Bamboo is the Sustainable Choice for Modern Interiors.
5. Alternatives to PVC Pipes
In the dynamic landscape of construction materials, Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) looms large. Its ubiquitous presence, however, conceals its dark side: severe environmental and health impacts. As the drumbeat for sustainable living grows louder, the exploration of healthier alternatives to PVC becomes increasingly important. PVC’s lifecycle is a stark reminder of the need for sustainable alternatives. Its production, use, and disposal stages contaminate our environment and pose significant health risks. With a reputation as one of the most environmentally damaging plastics, PVC emits toxic chemicals harmful to both the planet and its inhabitants. Read on to learn more about PVA and these 8 Sustainable and Healthier Alternatives to PVC Pipes.
6. Building with Hemp
Peek into the verdant fields of Cambridgeshire, UK, and you’ll spot the Flat House, a cozy barn conversion that’s far from ordinary. Inside this unique dwelling, you’ll encounter an ambiance reminiscent of hay bale dens, complete with excellent thermal qualities and surprisingly pleasant acoustics. Flat House’s secret ingredient? The wonder-plant hemp. Beyond its fame as the source of the psychoactive substance cannabis, hemp’s stardom is growing in an unexpected arena: sustainable construction. This versatile plant, celebrated for its use in health supplements and textiles, is now a coveted sustainable building material. It’s not only renewable and fast-growing but also a fantastic carbon capturer. Read on to find out more about The High Hopes of Hemp in Sustainable Construction.
7. Sustainable Building in India
India has a rich history of building homes from sustainable materials, including mud, bamboo, and lime plaster. However, with rapid urban expansion and population growth, the country’s construction industry shifted towards concrete and steel, making India the world’s second-largest cement producer. This transition carries a heavy environmental toll, as concrete production accounts for up to 8% of global CO2 emissions. Shagun Singh, the founder of Geeli Mitti, seeks to reverse this trend. Established in 2016, Geeli Mitti promotes traditional, eco-friendly building techniques in India. Shagun’s vision extends beyond mere construction, intending Geeli Mitti to serve as a center of excellence for sustainable living and as a training and research hub. Read on to learn how this Organization Helps Revive Sustainable Building Traditions in India.
8. Sustainable Wooden Buildings
This startup hopes to get the world to net zero through its platform to construct wooden buildings with significantly less carbon footprint than traditional methods. Urban growth is a massive contributor to the climate crisis and produces a large amount of CO2. This is partly because concrete and steel, which many buildings are made of, are simply not sustainable. The Barcelona-based startup, 011h, thinks that timber could be the answer. They believe that if we can standardize and digitize the building process to make it repeatable and scalable while shifting to sustainable materials, we can make net-zero buildings faster, cheaper, and more sustainable. Learn more about how this Barcelona-based startup Hopes to Get the World to Net Zero Through Its Sustainable Wooden Buildings.
9. Geothermal Heating
As summer temperatures skyrocket, the quest for eco-friendly cooling solutions has never been more critical. A shining beacon in this endeavor is the construction project at 1 Java Street, Brooklyn, New York. This location is set to become the largest multifamily residential building using geothermal heating and cooling in New York State by 2025, according to developer Lendlease. The secret lies 500 feet underground where the temperature remains at a cool 55 degrees all year round. The geothermal system takes advantage of these stable, underground temperatures to efficiently heat and cool the building, all while reducing the carbon footprint. According to Lendlease, the system will enable the nearly 790,000-square-foot building to reduce carbon emissions by 55% and achieve net zero greenhouse gas emissions. Find out more about How Geothermal Heating and Cooling is Being Used in Residential Buildings.
10. Sustainable Jungle Retreat
In the heart of the Brazilian jungle, artist João Machado, son of renowned painter Juarez Machado, has created an extraordinary hideaway. Villa Mandaçaia, which started as a vegetable garden for his plant collection, has been transformed into a sustainable, artistically inclined retreat. But the artistic haven didn’t stop with the garden. João, along with his wife, contemporary dancer Arasy Benitez, envisioned a tranquil mountain retreat that would serve as a canvas for their creativity. Thus, they embarked on building a house designed to blend into the picturesque landscape, taking on the rustic appeal of a shed covered in a verdant sheath of plants. Find out more about this Artist’s Sustainable Retreat Nestled in the Brazilian Jungle.
11. Plant-Based Efficiency
A new, iridescent plant-based film could revolutionize the way we keep buildings cool. Chemists have developed a film made from two layers of plant-based cellulose materials that cool down when exposed to sunlight. The film is available in various shining colors and could one day be used to coat buildings and cars, reducing the need for air conditioning. The film exhibits a smart property known as passive daytime radiative cooling (PDRC). It doesn’t absorb much light and radiates heat out at a wavelength that escapes the atmosphere and moves straight into space. Learn more about how Chemists Develop Iridescent Plant-Based Film to Revolutionize Energy Efficiency in Buildings.
12. New Eco-Village
A new village is under construction in Copenhagen, and it is uniquely designed to meet all 17 of the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals. The eco-village will focus on health and well-being to poverty and zero hunger. The project, called UN17, will soon develop five buildings that will house 1,100 residents. The buildings are being constructed on the last piece of vacant city-owned land in a new neighborhood called Ørestad, south of the city center. Read more about this amazing New Eco-Village in Copenhagen Set to Meet All 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals.
Related Content:
Easy Ways to Help the Planet:
- Eat Less Meat: Download Food Monster, the largest plant-based Recipe app on the App Store, to help reduce your environmental footprint, save animals and get healthy. You can also buy a hard or soft copy of our favorite vegan cookbooks.
- Reduce Your Fast Fashion Footprint: Take initiative by standing up against fast fashion Pollution and supporting sustainable and circular brands like Tiny Rescue that raise awareness around important issues through recycled zero-waste clothing designed to be returned and remade over and over again.
- Support Independent Media: Being publicly funded gives us a greater chance to continue providing you with high-quality content. Please consider supporting us by donating!
- Sign a Petition: Your voice matters! Help turn petitions into victories by signing the latest list of must-sign petitions to help people, animals, and the planet.
- Stay Informed: Keep up with the latest news and important stories involving animals, the environment, sustainable living, food, health, and human interest topics by subscribing to our newsletter!
- Do What You Can: Reduce waste, plant trees, eat local, travel responsibly, reuse stuff, say no to single-use plastics, recycle, vote smart, switch to cold water laundry, divest from fossil fuels, save water, shop wisely, Donate if you can, grow your food, volunteer, conserve energy, compost, and don’t forget about the microplastics and microbeads lurking in common household and personal care products!
