Upscaling Natural Materials in Construction: Earthen, Fast-Growing, and Living Materials
Abstract
:1. Introduction
2. Background on the Adoption of Earth- and Bio-Based Materials
2.1. Earthen Materials
2.2. Fast-Growing Materials
2.3. Living Materials
2.4. Natural Materials Taxonomy: EU versus US
3. Materials and Methods
3.1. Survey Questionnaire for Stakeholders
3.2. AI-Generated Image Prompts
4. Results and Discussion
4.1. Survey Questions
4.2. AI-Generated Imaginary Futures
5. Conclusions
Author Contributions
Funding
Institutional Review Board Statement
Informed Consent Statement
Data Availability Statement
Acknowledgments
Conflicts of Interest
References
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Word and Similar | Europe (EU) | United States (US) |
---|---|---|
Biogenic Bio-based | Bio-based products are wholly or partly derived from materials of biological origin, excluding materials embedded in geological formations and/or fossilized [53] | Bio-based materials refer to products that mainly consist of a substance (or substances) derived from living matter (biomass) and either occur naturally or are synthesized, or it may refer to products made by processes that use biomass [54]. |
Biomass | The mass of living or organic material, usually expressed as dry weight per unit area [55] | Not Available |
Geogenic | Geogenic factors are those which originate in the soil, as opposed to those of anthropic origin (anthropogenic) [56] | Not Available |
Fossil fuels | Coal, natural gas and petroleum products (such as oil) formed from the decayed bodies of animals and plants that died millions of years ago [57]. | Fossil energy sources, including oil, coal and natural gas, are non-renewable resources that formed when prehistoric plants and animals died and were gradually buried by layers of rock. Over millions of years, different types of fossil fuels formed -- depending on what combination of organic matter was present, how long it was buried and what temperature and pressure conditions existed as time passed [58]. |
Renewable | (Focusing on energy not resources): Energy sources that do not rely on fuels of which there are only finite stocks. The most widely used renewable source is hydroelectric power; other renewable sources are biomass energy, solar energy, tidal energy, wave energy, and wind energy; biomass energy does not avoid the danger of the greenhouse effect [59] | (Focusing on energy not resource): Renewable energy is energy produced from sources like the sun and wind that are naturally replenished and do not run out. Renewable energy can be used for electricity generation, space and water heating and cooling, and transportation [60] |
Earthen material | Not Available | Not Available |
Living material | Not Available | Not Available |
Waste material | Any substance, material or object which the holder discards or intends or is required to discard [61] | Differentiate all types of waste [62] |
By- product materials Co-products | The Waste Framework Directive defines by-products as a substance or object, resulting from a production process, the primary aim of which is not the production of that item. By-products can come from a wide range of business sectors, and can have very different environmental impacts. It is important to classify by-products correctly to avoid environmental damage or unnecessary costs for business [63] | An incidental product deriving from a manufacturing process or chemical reaction, and not the primary product or service being produced. A by-product can be useful and marketable, or it can have negative ecological consequences [64] |
Renewable raw materials | Resources that have a natural rate of availability and yield a continual flow of services which may be consumed in any time period without endangering future consumption possibilities as long as current use does not exceed net renewal during the period under consideration [65] | Resources that have a natural rate of availability and yield a continual flow of services which may be consumed in any time period without endangering future consumption possibilities as long as current use does not exceed net renewal during the period under consideration [66] |
Bioregion Bioregionality | A territory defined by a combination of biological, social, and geographic criteria, rather than geopolitical considerations; generally, a system of related, interconnected ecosystems [67] | Any geographical region characterized by a distinctive flora and fauna [68]. |
Nontoxic | Substances which are not toxic, as opposed to toxic substances: a chemical or mixture that may present a risk or injury to health or the environment [69]. | As opposed to toxic substance: A chemical or mixture that can cause illness, death, disease, or birth defects. The quantities and exposures necessary to cause these effects can vary widely. Many toxic substances are pollutants and contaminants in the environment [70]. |
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Carcassi, O.B.; Salierno, R.; Falcinelli, P.A.; Paoletti, I.M.; Ben-Alon, L. Upscaling Natural Materials in Construction: Earthen, Fast-Growing, and Living Materials. Sustainability 2024, 16, 7926. https://doi.org/10.3390/su16187926
Carcassi OB, Salierno R, Falcinelli PA, Paoletti IM, Ben-Alon L. Upscaling Natural Materials in Construction: Earthen, Fast-Growing, and Living Materials. Sustainability. 2024; 16(18):7926. https://doi.org/10.3390/su16187926
Chicago/Turabian StyleCarcassi, Olga Beatrice, Roberta Salierno, Pietro Augusto Falcinelli, Ingrid Maria Paoletti, and Lola Ben-Alon. 2024. "Upscaling Natural Materials in Construction: Earthen, Fast-Growing, and Living Materials" Sustainability 16, no. 18: 7926. https://doi.org/10.3390/su16187926