S&K Brickwork’s Post

Producing materials such as cement and steel is responsible for about 14% of global greenhouse gas emissions. Trees, by contrast, absorb carbon dioxide as they grow, and when their wood is used in construction, that carbon remains sequestered. Oil palm plantations have replaced many Southeast Asian forests, making chengal–the hardwood traditionally used in Singapore–scarce. And it’s ideally harvested after about a century, while spruce can reach maturity in a third as long. While the problems might have been mitigated by thicker protective coating, Loh’s team rejected that out of cost considerations and because they wanted to highlight the grain of the natural wood. Larch, a softwood with greater resistance to mold, would have been pricier, so Loh used spruce, cladding the columns most exposed to sun and rain with larch. the school has developed “comprehensive” maintenance plans for Gaia, including reapplying sealant on the timber, adjusting the air-conditioning and asking staff to keep windows closed to reduce condensation. Experts in the field suggest treating surfaces with bleach, applying heavier coatings on the wood, installing dehumidifiers and running the AC 24/7, though that would make the building less sustainable. “I can’t think of anywhere on Earth you could not use mass timber, if it’s designed for that particular climate,” says Art Schmon, an analyst at timber consultant Forest Economic Advisors. “The disadvantage is that it increases cost. Is it still competitive with steel and concrete? That’s a separate question.” #timber #buildingdesign #buildingmaterials #productdevelopment #climatechangesolution #carbonreduction #asiamarket

A favorite publication of ours, and for good reason! An excellent article about PVC (vinyl) in the built environment. We highly recommend reading this if you have ever considered using this material and do not know the health and environmental risk that comes along with it. "Indeed, the building and construction industry is the second-largest consumer of plastics in the world, none of which have an unblemished track record of manufacturing, most of which don’t have an easy path to circularity, and the majority of which still rely on a resource that is warming our atmosphere to dangerous levels as it is being used up." Metropolis Magazine Avinash Rajagopal #sustainability #sustainabledesign

Yi Design's innovative permeable YiBrick, made from recycled materials, exemplifies how sustainable architecture can address urban flooding issues. This is particularly relevant in light of the recent floods in Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. By integrating such eco-friendly solutions, we can better manage stormwater and enhance urban resilience. #SustainableDesign #FloodPrevention #EcoFriendly #GreenArchitecture #UrbanPlanning #architecture https://lnkd.in/dwEtmDv5

"Demand for bamboo in construction is rising due to its sustainability and rapid growth. Supported by favorable policies and technological advancements, bamboo is now a durable, versatile, and eco-friendly alternative to traditional timber." For more information, Follow the link: https://lnkd.in/gMpU8-fE #therealtytoday #TRT #therealtytodaynews #therealtytodayupdates #SustainableBuilding #EcoFriendly #BambooConstruction #RenewableResources #GreenBuilding #SustainableMaterials #EcoArchitecture #CarbonFootprintReduction #EngineeredBamboo #ModernConstruction #RealEstateInsights #InfrastructureDevelopment #India #MarketExpansion #PropertyInvestment #RealEstateTrends #Infrastructure #RealEstateDevelopment #realtorsofinstagram #realestateexperts #realestateagency #realestatetips #realestatephotographer

Today, the potential of hemp as a sustainable resource in the construction industry is being rediscovered, and a promising future is anticipated for the material. Innovations like hempcrete and fiber panels are paving the way for a greener future. The material is experiencing a renaissance, not as a relic of the past but as a hallmark of sustainable innovation in contemporary construction.

🔄 Do Century-Old Timber Beams Perform as Well as New Ones? 🪵As the demand for timber products surges, Norwegian scientists are exploring the potential of reusing century-old beams to drive a fully circular economy in construction. 🔎 What You Need to Know: 1️⃣ Addressing Timber Supply Gaps: With projections indicating a 49% increase in timber demand over the next 25 years, reusing and upcycling old beams can provide a sustainable solution. Norway’s standards agency, Standard Norge, is developing new guidelines (NS 3691-3) to assess the strength of recyclable timber beams, paving the way for their incorporation into new projects. 2️⃣ Scientific Research: SINTEF, a leading research institution in Norway, is testing century-old beams to determine their structural integrity. Senior Adviser Sigurd Eide notes that many of these beams exhibit strength properties equivalent to new materials, providing a promising avenue for sustainable construction. 3️⃣ Detailed Evaluation Process: The research thoroughly assesses the beams' physical characteristics, including moisture content, annual ring closeness, and grain orientation. This meticulous evaluation ensures that only the strongest beams are selected for reuse, maximising their potential in future construction projects. 🔗 Read more about the potential of century-old timber beams and their role in sustainable construction: https://lnkd.in/gUm8g-UF 🗣️ #questionforgroup: How can the construction industry further embrace the reuse of materials to enhance sustainability? What challenges do you foresee in implementing these practices on a larger scale? WoodSolutions #circulareconomy #sustainableconstruction #recycledtimber #norway #woodcentral #woodcentralau1 #construction #architecture #netzero #recycling #wood #theultimaterenewable #woodsolutions

The use of various waste-derived, biologically inspired, technologically advanced innovative materials has been increasing in line with many concerns and goals recently. The contributions of traditional construction and manufacturing materials to both environmental and resource crises have led to the emergence of alternatives, initiating a positive future projection. In this article, attention is focused on the brick produced from waste fabrics, FabBRICK, among these innovative materials that can be diversified through various approaches, research, and products.

10 sustainable construction materials including biophilic materials such as mycelium, bamboo and others. #sustainablebuilding #sustainableconstruction #greenbuilding #biophilicdesign #biophilicmaterials #biophilicconstruction #sustainability #sdg11 https://lnkd.in/d_5EjWY2

🌍🏗️ Exciting News from the World of Sustainable Construction! 🏗️🌍 We are thrilled to announce the launch of our website for the Steel And Recycled Concrete Slab (SARCOS) project: https://projectsarcos.it/ This groundbreaking research initiative is set to revolutionize the construction industry by extending the use of recycled aggregates to steel–concrete composite slabs. Traditionally, these slabs have been exclusively crafted using concrete composed of natural aggregates. The SARCOS project challenges this norm by exploring environmentally friendly alternatives. The importance of such innovation cannot be overstated. Steel–concrete composite slabs combine the compressive resistance of concrete with the tensile strength of steel, offering an efficient flooring solution. However, the environmental impact of using natural aggregates has become a pressing concern, with the extensive use of these materials contributing significantly to the depletion of natural resources and the generation of waste. Our research not only aims to address these environmental issues but also to foster the circular economy by demonstrating the feasibility of using recycled aggregates in composite slabs. By doing so, SARCOS aligns with EU policies on sustainable development, aiming to enhance the quality of life for European residents and protect our precious environment. Stay tuned for updates on our progress and discoveries. Together, we can pave the way toward more sustainable construction practices that benefit our planet and future generations. Join us in this journey to innovation and sustainability! 🌱✨ Marco Zucca, Monica Valdès, Giovanna Concu, Marco Simoncelli, Claudio Bernuzzi, Marco Andrea Pisani #SARCOS #SustainableConstruction #RecycledAggregates #Innovation #CircularEconomy #Sustainability #EngineeringExcellence