In 1999, a 6.2 magnitude earthquake devastated Colombia’s coffee region. Concrete buildings collapsed. Brick houses turned to rubble. Bamboo constructions stood firm. The phenomenon was so perplexing to Colombian engineers that, in the following years, the country did what no other had done before: it included bamboo in its national seismic code as an official … Read more
As sustainability assessment lead at Sheffield University’s Grantham Centre for Sustainable Futures, Stuart Walker wanted to make sure his garden office had the lowest possible embodied carbon and low energy use once it was up and running. That meant the office would need to be very well insulated and made of materials with low carbon content. … Read more
Hempcrete is made from hemp hurd, lime, and water. The hemp stalk consists of two primary components: the outer fiber, commonly used in textiles, and the inner core, known as the hurd. Traditionally considered agricultural waste, the hurd has a woody texture and serves as the main ingredient in hempcrete. Lime acts as a natural … Read more
This rustic cabin was built almost entirely with materials found in the forest environment itself. The project demonstrates how traditional techniques, when properly applied, result in a stable, durable shelter that is fully integrated into the landscape. The structure has an efficient indoor microclimate, balancing temperature, natural ventilation and thermal comfort throughout the day. The construction … Read more
Mark Young has been living a self-sufficient lifestyle on a remote off-grid island in British Columbia for the past 21 years. He has built 9 experimental buildings on his 20-acre property using local and natural materials like wood, stone and cob, including: a cabin for himself, utility buildings for his solar power systems, a sauna … Read more
At a recent symposium, Bakar Labs for Energy and Materials convened experts from industry, academia and government to discuss the true carbon cost of construction. A common thread throughout the symposium was that humanity can rise to the challenge of creating sustainable buildings. Bruce King — founder of BuildWell.site, a nonprofit drawing awareness to … Read more