A revolution is simmering within the building world, have you ever heard? Whereas conventional ideologies had been cemented in utilizing concrete for its sturdiness, mindsets are seeing a shift. Architects of at present are turning their gaze in the direction of sustainable variants.
However whereas championing resilient structure, the query begs to be requested: is it clever to cast off cement fully? Perhaps not, architects appear to suppose. The explanation, they are saying, lies in balancing proportions, understanding how a lot is an excessive amount of.
On this deep dive, The Higher India takes a take a look at 4 tasks which endorse supplies that declare to be extra sustainable than cement, while additionally exploring their viability.
1. Autoclaved aerated concrete
The fabric fulfils the demand for longevity, insulation (contributed by the bubbles and voids within the materials’s construction) and structural integrity. Autoclaved aerated concrete (AAC) is one in every of architect Vivek Anand’s favourites.
Having beforehand labored with the fabric for one in every of New Delhi-based REPL’s (Rudrabhishek Enterprises Restricted) tasks, Vivek is in awe of its light-weightness and thermal insulation properties. “Its excessive hearth resistance and sound insulation additionally improve constructing security and luxury,” he says. Research agree.
In regards to the materials: In accordance with a paper printed in Springer, autoclaved aerated concrete is “the lightest masonry materials obtainable in at present’s constructing trade”. When assessed in opposition to conventional concrete, the research discovered AAC to have excessive power per unit weight, lesser density, decrease shrinkage, greater thermal insulation, and higher hearth resistance.
The paper additional stated, “Not solely do engineering properties of AAC make it fashionable within the building trade, but additionally its eco-friendly nature; it contributes to the conservation of power. AAC produces about 67 p.c decrease carbon emissions than clay bricks.”
Architects, take notes: Whereas AAC’s porous texture facilitates breathability, Vivek underscores how this additionally necessitates additional care — correct sealing and moisture administration to stop any potential water harm.
2. Inexperienced pavers
Sustainability shouldn’t come on the value of aesthetics, these architects consider. Whereas looking out for materials in tune with its terroir, Vivek stumbled upon inexperienced pavers. Think about a type of pavement that, as a substitute of letting water run off, permits it to cross by, thus mitigating city warmth island results. This may very well be a viable paving different to conventional mainstays of asphalt and concrete, Vivek thought.
In regards to the materials: The model that Vivek urges architects to make use of is inexperienced pavers constituted of recycled materials. “This can assist in decreasing landfill waste,” he causes. “These pavers may assist vegetation, contributing to greener city environments,” he provides.
Architects, take notes: Whereas inexperienced pavers are versatile to work with and add depth and dimension to the house, Vivek says there are specific issues to bear in mind. “For inexperienced pavers, architects must design efficient drainage methods.” He provides that the recycled uncooked materials ought to be domestically sourced in order to minimise the environmental influence.
3. Orient stranded board
In an age the place modular constructing strategies are beginning to acquire reputation, the orient stranded boards present ample scope for experimentation. A kind of engineered wooden panel constituted of wooden strands which might be bonded along with resin, they add a daring dynamic to the house.
In regards to the materials: Aameer Chauhan, Sustainability Supervisor at Edifice Guide Pvt Ltd, an award-winning structure design agency, explains, “Orient stranded board (OSB) has a low embodied carbon worth and may be simply recycled into comparable panels on the finish of its life cycle. This makes it a sustainable and handy materials to make use of.” He heroed the fabric in one of many studio tasks.
The selection was truly serendipitous, he smiles. “We had restricted choices for modifying the present partitions, and OSB proved invaluable as a consequence of its straightforward and fast set up system.” What the workforce additionally found through the undertaking, was that the fabric boasted wonderful acoustical properties.
“Utilizing OSB wall panels helped us nullify the undesirable refraction and reverberation within the studio. Because the OSB panels should not as extremely compressed as plywood they’re wonderful sound absorbers,” Aameer provides. However the true magic lies within the matrix. “The uncooked end of [OSB’s] wooden strand composition provides a delicate texture to the general monochromatic, industrial-themed workplace house.”
Architects, take notes: Whereas OSB does handle to lend some bespoke detailing to the constructing, it’s prone to moisture absorption. This, says Aameer, can have an effect on its dimensional stability and efficiency over time. One other factor to bear in mind since OSB is procured from timber, he says, is to “confirm the precise environmental certifications and sustainability attributes of the OSB product getting used.”
4. Compressed Stabilised Earth Bricks (CSEB)
As a research underscored, “Compressed stabilised earth bricks (CSEBs) are good candidates to switch fired bricks as a result of decrease quantity of power required for his or her manufacturing, decrease price and decrease carbon footprint. In comparison with cement concrete, CSEBs additionally require much less embodied power, with some authors indicating that just one p.c of the manufacturing power of cement concrete is required.”
In regards to the materials: When architects Rahul Kadri, Nithin Hosabettu, Sahil Bipin Deshpande, Viraj Naralkar, and Aakash Shrivastav of Mumbai-based IMK Architects had been tasked with designing the SUHRC Symbiosis College Hospital and Analysis Centre, Lavale, Pune, utilizing compressed stabilised earth bricks, they had been enthusiastic.
As they found, not solely do the bricks add a daring dynamic to the construction however in addition they boast 80 p.c much less power consumption whereas attaining thermal consolation. The architects share that the bricks they used had been made utilizing a pure mixture of purple soil, sand and murum (crumbled rock) stabilised with 5 p.c cement. This ensured their sturdiness.
To increase the undertaking’s scope of sustainability, the architects ensured that the bricks had been made on-site by utilizing a block-making machine, thus chopping the emission of carbon, whereas additionally using native labour to solar dry as a substitute of kiln-fire the bricks.
Architects, take notes: Not all soils could also be appropriate for CSEB. Keep away from utilizing topsoil and natural soils. The kind of stabiliser that must be added to the combo will rely upon the soil in query. Cement works finest for sandy soils, whereas lime works finest for clayey soils.
5. Acetylated wooden
Wooden, as a building materials, attracts considerations for its responsiveness to environmental variables. So, think about quite a lot of wooden that performs properly no matter the environment; one that may tolerate excessive temperatures in addition to endure water publicity! When architect Vijay Dahiya found acetylated wooden, he was excited to attempt it out in one in every of his tasks, ‘Mehra Residence’, in Delhi.
In regards to the materials: Except for the preliminary price, Vijay says there are solely benefits: “When mixed with water-based, low-VOC (unstable natural compounds) finishes, it maintains the eco-friendly integrity.” Along with this, acetylation enhances the wooden’s resistance in opposition to fungal decay, a research discovered. When the environmental impacts of acetylated Scots pine, tropical hardwood (Azobe), and non-renewable supplies (metal, concrete) had been in contrast, the outcomes confirmed that acetylated wooden has a significantly decrease carbon footprint than metal, concrete and unsustainably sourced Azobe.
Architects, take notes: Contemplating the fabric is wooden, Vijay cautions that it ought to be sourced from sustainable forests. “Timber are pure carbon sequesters, and when utilized in building, wooden can additional lock in that sequestered carbon for many years. If sourced from fast-growing species like spruce or pine, and sustainable, replenishable forests, it’s a win-win.”
Edited by Arunava Banerjee
Sources
Utilization of Strong Waste within the Manufacturing of Autoclaved Aerated Concrete and Their Results on its Physio-mechanical and Microstructural Properties: Various Sources, Characterization, and Efficiency Insights: by Worldwide Journal of Concrete Constructions and Supplies, Printed on 8 February 2023.
In the direction of the event of performance-efficient compressed earth blocks from industrial and agro-industrial by-products: by Science Direct, Printed in April 2024.
Environmental Impression of Constructions Made from Acetylated Wooden by Analysis Gate, Printed in August 2016.
