Most bamboo species reach full height in three to five years compared to at least a decade for traditional timber, making it incredibly renewable. The fastest-growing bamboo species can grow up to 35 inches, or 91 centimeters, in a day! During its rapid growth phase, bamboo absorbs a lot of carbon dioxide and releases lots … Read more
Housing NOW is a modular bamboo housing system that provides rapid, affordable homes in Myanmar’s conflict- and disaster-affected regions. They use small-diameter bamboo bundled into structural frames that interlock to form the backbone of each house. This method uses abundant, low-value bamboo culms from local sources and transforms them into load-bearing construction elements through bundling, … Read more
Despite contributing nearly 1 percent to Nepal’s GDP, bamboo remains largely under-utilized. Traditional uses, including scaffolding, weaving, handicrafts and household items, dominate the current market. Bamboo’s optimal use depends on species and maturity, where shoots under three weeks are best for consumption, three weeks to one year for weaving, one to three years for small … Read more
Designed as low-carbon dwellings for people who are struggling to afford their own homes, the Tigín Tiny Homes in Ireland measure just 215 sf. They were created by Irish social enterprise Common Knowledge together with hemp producer Margent Farm and built from natural materials, including corrugated hemp cladding panels, cork insulation and natural rubber linoleum … Read more
The Japanese company Lib Work is using earthen materials to 3D print homes. House Model B is a 1,076-square-foot, single-story residence built mainly from earth, lime, and natural fibers. Lib Work says improvements to the overall manufacturing process have lowered its carbon emissions and the building itself is about five times stronger than their previous design … Read more
Hazelmead is the UK’s largest completed cohousing development, designed by Barefoot Architects for Bridport Cohousing. There are 53 affordable, net-zero carbon homes—mixing flats and terraced houses—along car-free streets, shared vegetable gardens, and a community microgrid with solar panels and battery storage. Built to rigorous sustainability standards, the timber-framed buildings have passive solar orientation, high insulation, … Read more