More than ever before, architects are building better by paying attention to the carbon footprint of a construction
FEATURE RODDY CLARKE
IN 2019, the World Green Building Council released a report stating that the built environment was responsible for 39% of global-related carbon emissions, with 11% coming from the materials and construction methods used. In 2022 the Global Status Report for Buildings and Construction was released at COP27, revealing that the sector accounted for over 34% of energy demand and around 37% of energy and process-related C02 emissions in 2021 – a worrying sign of slow progress, especially if we are to reach the UN’s target of decarbonising the industry by 2050.
In response, many architects are re-evaluating their approach by taking advantage of pioneering, gamechanging materials that are being developed.
‘The future of materials will be biomimetic,’ states architect David Hertz of SEA (the Studio of Environmental Architecture). ‘This means they will be inspired by the structure of nature as well as being self-generating, self-healing and hyper-local in their impact.’ Biomimicry, which is the design and production of materials or structures modelled on processes and forms found in nature, is a concept many architects are becoming more aligned to. ‘We are focusing on materials that contribute to healthy indoor air quality and those that are part of a circular system rather than a linear one,’ David continues. ‘Substances such as mycelium, recycled organic waste and bioplastics, are all examples of this.’
The development of mycelium has been notable in recent years with designers creating a variety of products, such as bricks, cladding and MDF alternatives, from the organic material. And, as many experts predict, this is just the beginning. ‘In 25 years, every house will incorporate cultures of cyanobacteria, mycelium and slime mould,’ states Claudia Pasquero, co-founder of ecoLogicStudio, a London-based architectural innovation firm specialising in biotechnology for the built environment, ‘as these organisms will be able to purify the air and produce fresh biomass.’ Sugarcrete, another example of a low-carbon reusable alternative to brick and concrete, is made from a byproduct of sugar cane. Developed by the University of East London, in collaboration with architectural studio Grimshaw, this new product is stated to have 15-20% of the carbon footprint of traditional bricks.
However, as the development
