The Potential of Natural Materials in Sustainable Construction

From back when our ancestors used logs to build rudimentary shelters, to Japanese temples and modern skyscrapers, wood has always been a fundamental element in architecture. While it has a long history as a building material, it continues being relevant and has enormous potential for the future. Compared to concrete and steel, whose production consumes a lot of energy and contribute to greenhouse gas emissions, wood is a renewable source that can be harvested and grown sustainably. Similarly, bamboo has been used as a building material for centuries –especially in Asia– to construct everything from scaffolding to furniture. With very fast growth and impressive structural qualities, it can be a highly efficient material if it is well taken-care of, and has sparked the interest of many researchers who are developing technologies to improve its efficiency in construction, including techniques to increase its strength and durability.?

Trees and bamboo forests absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere as they grow, and this carbon remains stored in the wood and bamboo even after it has been harvested and used in construction. This means that it is possible to create buildings that are not only low carbon, but even carbon negative, sequestering more carbon than they emit during their lifetime. In addition, wood and bamboo offer benefits such as thermal comfort and aesthetics, but there is still prejudice in some cultures about the use of these natural materials in construction, often due to a lack of knowledge about their properties and possibilities.

In this edition of the Building Future Newsletter, we delve into some articles that explore the potential of these natural materials for the industry. In “The Potential of Bamboo and Mass Timber for the Construction Industry,” expert Pablo van der Lugt takes us on a journey through the benefits of these two materials and their potential to create green, sustainable buildings. We also discuss Structural Engineered Bamboo (SEB), which processes bamboo to achieve an especially strong and promising material. Finally, in "A Modular Project Like an Assembly Game: Mass Timber Prefabricated Houses," we use a real-world example of the use of mass-timber prefabrication in the construction of modular housing units. Overall, these three articles highlight the exciting developments taking place in the construction world, and the potential for new materials and techniques to transform the industry.

Comment to let us know what you think, and see you in the next edition!

Eduardo Souza, Senior Editor, Brands & Materials

Materials Innovations: What is Structural Engineered Bamboo (SEB)?

Bamboo allows for a high level of processing and can be laminated for flooring, appliances, and for Structural Engineered Bamboo (SEB) structures.

The Potential of Bamboo and Mass Timber for the Construction Industry: An Interview with Pablo van der Lugt

The Potential of Bamboo and Mass Timber for the Construction Industry: A Conversation With Pablo Van Der Lugt, architect, author and speaker.

A Modular Project Like an Assembly Game: Mass Timber Prefabricated Houses

Modular 5.5 is a flexible and sustainable modular construction project by UNA BV that uses wood and allows for adaptations to different terrains and climates.