Thermal mass is the ability of a material to absorb, store, and release heat. It can be used to moderate building temperatures by reducing fluctuations. Materials with relatively high thermal mass, such as stone, rammed earth, and brick, can absorb significant heat during the day and release it slowly when temperatures drop at night, reducing … Read more
Straw has a long history as a building material, finding application in thatch roofs, as a binding agent in adobe bricks and cob, as insulation, and in straw bale construction. Straw, a renewable, recyclable, regionally available, and low-cost material, offers a climate-friendly alternative to conventional building materials. Indeed, straw provides a viable solution to decarbonizing … Read more
The second home on Maui, Hawaii using hempcrete for wall construction has been completed. Hempcrete is not only fire, mold and termite resistant, it’s also non-toxic, sound insulating, energy efficient, and absorbs carbon dioxide from the air. The owner, Jon Woodhouse, says, “Walking into my home, you can feel the difference compared to conventional home … Read more
“People can’t find homes, they’re very expensive. We also have an aging population … so there’s less and less people who are electricians, plumbers, or builders,” says Habib Dagher, the executive director of the University of Maine’s Advanced Structures and Composites Center (ASCC). They recently unveiled what may be the world’s largest polymer 3D printer. … Read more
VV House in Brazil harmonizes with its natural surroundings through thoughtful design and the use of local materials such as Barbalha stone and rammed earth. The house is divided into four structures connected by external pathways. The layout includes a social block, the couple’s suite, a guest suite, and an open space for storing a … Read more
Miguel Elliott, founder of Living Earth Structures in Petaluma, California. specializes in building with cob. Elliott has built over 250 cob structures around the world. His creations range from small ovens and benches to full-sized homes — each one is a unique work of art. “Nothing is more sustainable,” Elliott says. “If you take a … Read more