Latest Innovations in Building Materials

𝑾𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝒊𝒇 𝒘𝒆 𝒄𝒐𝒖𝒍𝒅 𝒈𝒓𝒐𝒘 𝒃𝒖𝒊𝒍𝒅𝒊𝒏𝒈𝒔 𝒊𝒏𝒔𝒕𝒆𝒂𝒅 𝒐𝒇 𝒃𝒖𝒊𝒍𝒅𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒎? 𝐀 𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐬𝐞 𝐦𝐚𝐝𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐦𝐮𝐬𝐡𝐫𝐨𝐨𝐦𝐬 𝐢𝐬𝐧’𝐭 𝐬𝐜𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐟𝐢𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧; 𝐢𝐭’𝐬 𝐚𝐥𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐲 𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐥 𝐢𝐧 𝐍𝐚𝐦𝐢𝐛𝐢𝐚. 𝐈𝐧 𝐚 𝐛𝐨𝐥𝐝 𝐞𝐱𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭, 𝐚 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐮𝐩 𝐜𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐝 𝐌𝐲𝐜𝐨𝐇𝐀𝐁 𝐡𝐚𝐬 𝐛𝐮𝐢𝐥𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐥𝐝’𝐬 𝐟𝐢𝐫𝐬𝐭 𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐬𝐞 𝐦𝐚𝐝𝐞 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐦𝐲𝐜𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐮𝐦 𝐛𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐤𝐬, 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐫𝐨𝐨𝐭 𝐧𝐞𝐭𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐤 𝐨𝐟 𝐟𝐮𝐧𝐠𝐢 Here’s how they did it: ✅ Turned 13 tons of invasive bush into 4 tons of edible mushrooms ✅ Used the leftover material to grow 1,000 carbon-negative bricks ✅ Built a fully functional house that’s affordable, sustainable, and smells completely normal This isn’t just innovation — it’s circular economy in action: Waste ➝ Food ➝ Bricks ➝ Shelter All from local materials. No cement. No steel. Minimal emissions. Maximum imagination. Bonus: Each brick stores carbon — about 0.8 kg CO₂ per 1 kg — making this a climate-positive construction method. In a world facing housing shortages, rising material costs, and a carbon crisis, this project makes us ask: What if construction could heal ecosystems instead of depleting them? What if our building materials were grown, not mined? The MycoHAB mushroom house isn’t just a novelty. It’s a signal of what’s possible when we let biology inspire building. NASA is even researching similar tech to grow habitats on the Moon. I’d love to hear your thoughts: Could you see fungi-based materials scaling up in your region? What’s the boldest material or method your company is exploring? #ConstructionInnovation #Sustainability #CircularEconomy #MaterialsScience #AffordableHousing #Architecture #BioDesign #CarbonNegative #FutureOfConstruction #Leadership

Using ceramic waste to help reduce the need for virgin clay in buildings 🧱 The Institute of Architecture and Design at The Royal Danish Academy has explored the transformation of brick construction waste into a new building material. Why? Denmark's subsoil is largely clay and has been an integral building material for generations. However, subsoil clay is formed over millions of years - and once it's gone, it's gone. In fact, Denmark actually *imported* $9.07M in ceramic bricks in 2022, becoming the 51st largest importer of ceramic bricks in the world, due in part to a domestic depletion of this non-renewable resource! 🤯 To explore ways to reduce the use of virgin clay in buildings, the project team crushed discarded bricks and mixed the aggregate with a binder to form a paste. The paste was pressed into moulds, fired, and finished in various ways. The outcome? New ceramic building products formed from a hyperlocal source - no excavating, mining, or importing required. While existing bricks are remarkably reusable just the way they are, I love this project because it helps demonstrate that a circular manufacturing process can combine beauty and practicality, just like existing linear supply chains - but the environmental impact can be so much less. ♻️ Would you install these circular ceramics in your own building project? Photos taken in April at the Form/Design Center in Malmö, Sweden. This project was one of six on display as part of the "Planetary Boundaries" exhibit, which explored building designs and materials that have a wide range of aesthetic use - but a tiny planetary footprint. --- 👋 I talk about circular economy in the built environment, including cultural heritage, workforce development, housing, and more. Follow for more case studies! #circulareconomy #greenbuilding #sustainability #sustainableconstruction #decarbonisation #embodiedcarbon

Concrete is the second most consumed material after water. But it has a deadly weakness: it cracks... These cracks let in water and oxygen that corrode steel reinforcement, threatening structural integrity. This is where self-healing concrete comes in - the biggest breakthrough in construction materials in decades. The secret? Bacteria. Scientists use Bacillus subtilis bacteria that can survive concrete's harsh alkaline environment. During manufacturing, bacterial spores and calcium nutrients are mixed directly into concrete. These remain dormant until a crack forms. Then the magic happens: When a crack forms, water and oxygen enter. This awakens the dormant bacteria, which consume embedded calcium lactate. As they metabolize this food, they produce limestone and naturally fill the crack. The process works automatically, with no human intervention. It's like your body healing a cut, you don't direct cells to close wounds, they just do it. The results are remarkable: At Delft University, researchers saw cracks repaired in just 60 days. Even more impressive: bacteria-treated concrete showed 40% higher strength after 7 days and 45% after 28 days versus traditional concrete. The implications are enormous: • Eliminates expensive repairs and reduces maintenance budgets • Could help improve America's C-grade infrastructure (ASCE rating) • Reduces environmental impact as less new concrete is needed • Fewer repairs mean reduced environmental disruption We're entering an era of living infrastructure, materials that respond to their environment. This convergence of biology and materials science is creating entirely new possibilities for how we build. Self-healing concrete isn't just an innovation, it's part of a fundamental shift in how we think about the structures we rely on every day.

Scientists at NTU developed concrete that actually captures carbon dioxide while being 3D printed. How: It actively captures CO2 being produced as the by-products of industrial processes. Then, they inject steam and CO2 into the concrete mix as it's being printed, and the carbon gets locked inside. It captures more carbon AND improves the material: - 38% more carbon sequestered - Creates stronger concrete (37% stronger under compression) - Improves the printing process itself by 50% It’s one of those innovations that simultaneously solves an environmental problem while making the product better. The researchers also said they’re looking into using other waste gasses instead of just pure CO2. Hats off to the team at Nanyang Technological University! (Image credit: also from NTU)

🏗️ Growing the Future: 3D-Printed Mycelium Imagine buildings that grow, self-repair, and decompose naturally when no longer needed. Researchers have developed a 3D-printing method for mycelium biocomposites, eliminating the need for molds and unlocking new possibilities for sustainable, biodegradable materials. Using spent coffee grounds as a substrate, this innovation turns waste into strong, compostable structures—a game-changer for packaging, architecture, and beyond. 🤓 Geek Mode Traditional mycelium-based materials require molds, which limit design flexibility. This study introduces: Mycofluid: A 3D-printable mycelium paste made from 73% spent coffee grounds. Fungibot: A custom extruder that prints living biomaterial. Mycostructure: A process where printed parts grow together, fusing into seamless, self-supporting structures. By fine-tuning viscosity, growth conditions, and extrusion techniques, the team produced mechanically robust biocomposites. The printed objects self-colonize with fungi, creating hydrophobic surfaces that resist water while retaining biodegradability. 💼 Opportunity for VCs This technology offers a paradigm shift in materials science. It opens doors for: - Sustainable packaging that replaces polystyrene. - Biodegradable furniture and structures that grow and adapt. - Self-healing biomaterials for modular, repairable buildings. - Carbon-negative manufacturing with hyper-local supply chains. VCs investing in biofabrication, circular economy, and sustainable construction should take note—this is the frontier of regenerative materials. 🌍 Humanity-Level Impact Instead of mining, melting, or molding, we can grow what we need: 1️⃣Carbon-neutral cities, where buildings decompose instead of turning into waste. 2️⃣Mars-ready habitats, using fungi to construct and self-repair in extreme environments. 3️⃣A circular bioeconomy, where waste (like coffee grounds) fuels innovation. This isn’t just eco-friendly tech—it’s nature’s blueprint, optimized for modern fabrication. 📄 Link to original study: https://lnkd.in/gQNsTVEP #DeepTech #VentureCapital #Biomaterials #3DPrinting #CircularEconomy

We are excited to share our project: Eco-Resilient Tectonics: Living Building Materials in Multi-Species Earthen Construction, developed at the Computational Tectonics Lab, School of Architecture, University of Virginia. This research embeds mycelium (Pleurotus ostreatus) and radish (Raphanus sativus) into robotically 3D-printed soil structures, exploring how construction can become regenerative, ecologically embedded, and adaptive to changing environments. Read the full paper: https://lnkd.in/eSi8u4DR Presented at: – ACSA 113th Annual Meeting (2025) – ACSA/AIA Intersections Research Conference (2023) , and forthcoming in peer-reviewed conference proceedings. Key contributions include: • Bio-integrated, 3D-printed earth structures • Mycelium-based insulation and resilience • Radish-enabled surface greening • Architecture as a living, self-healing system We hope this work contributes to the growing discourse on ecological design, biological fabrication, and living materials in architecture. How might buildings evolve to become more like ecosystems? Thanks to my student research assistants at the Computational Tectonics Lab for pushing this research forward: I. Datta, A. Edson, M. Hsu, J. Jackson, E. Sobel, and T. Summers. Design and Images © Ehsan Baharlou, Computational Tectonics Lab The University of Virginia School of Architecture #LivingBuildingMaterials #SustainableArchitecture #MyceliumResearch #DigitalFabrication #EcoResilientTectonics #RegenerativeArchitecture #BioDesign #3DPrintedConstruction #ACSA2025 #ArchitectureResearch #MyceliumArchitecture #EcologicalDesign

Moss is no longer just the green coating on forgotten stones but a key player in urban sustainability, thanks to Dutch startup Respyre. Their product, Moss Cement, is changing how we view building exteriors - turning them into living, environmentally active structures. 𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐢𝐬 𝐌𝐨𝐬𝐬 𝐂𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭? Moss Cement is a blend of recycled cement infused with moss spores, applied to building walls using a bio-gel composed of organic fibers and nutrients. This mix supports the moss in attaching and thriving on the exterior surfaces of urban structures. 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐋𝐢𝐟𝐞𝐜𝐲𝐜𝐥𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐌𝐨𝐬𝐬 𝐂𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 - Initial Application: The bio-gel helps the moss spores adhere to the building’s surface. - Growth Phase: Over the next 12 weeks, these spores develop into a mature moss covering that becomes self-sustaining. - Mature Phase: Once fully grown, the moss layer can endure even harsh environmental conditions. 𝐄𝐧𝐯𝐢𝐫𝐨𝐧𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐥 𝐁𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐟𝐢𝐭𝐬 - Carbon Absorption: The moss actively absorbs carbon dioxide, contributing to reduced atmospheric CO2 levels. - Air Purification: Beyond carbon, moss filters out pollutants, significantly improving urban air quality. - Thermal Insulation: Moss provides natural insulation, enhancing energy efficiency by keeping buildings warmer in winter and cooler in summer. - Water Management: Its sponge-like properties help in absorbing rainwater, reducing urban runoff and the risk of flooding. What are your thoughts on using biological materials like moss in urban construction? Could this be the future of sustainable architecture? #innovation #technology #future #management #startups

How to make wood stronger than steel: MettleWood Process The MettleWood Process, developed by InventWood, is a groundbreaking technology that transforms ordinary wood into a material with strength comparable to steel, yet significantly lighter and more sustainable. The core of the process involves a proprietary lignin modification treatment. Lignin is the natural polymer that binds cellulose fibers in wood, providing its strength. By strategically altering or partially removing this lignin, the wood's structure is softened. Following this chemical treatment, the wood undergoes a physical densification or compression step. This crucial stage allows the cellulose fibers, which are the main structural component of wood, to align much more closely and tightly. This extreme compaction and reorganization of the wood's internal structure are what give MettleWood its exceptional strength and stiffness. The final product is then resized, polished, and sealed, resulting in a material that retains the aesthetic of wood but possesses drastically enhanced mechanical properties. MettleWood has a wide range of potential applications, aiming to revolutionize various industries by offering a sustainable alternative to traditional materials like steel and concrete. Its superior strength-to-weight ratio makes it ideal for structural components in building construction, including beams, columns, and connections. Beyond construction, it is being explored for use in the automotive, aerospace, and furniture sectors, where lightweight, durable, and environmentally friendly materials are highly valued. The ability to use various wood species, including abundant and fast-growing ones, further enhances its sustainability appeal. Video: Investwood

🇳🇱 In the Netherlands, bricks are learning to breathe. A green-tech innovation is transforming ordinary buildings into living walls — by designing bricks that invite moss to grow directly on their surface. These moss-friendly bricks require no soil, no maintenance — just rain and wind. And what they offer in return is remarkable: 🌱 Purify urban air 🌡️ Cool buildings and streets by up to 7°C 🌍 Capture and store CO₂ naturally In the city of Leiden, schools and bus stops are being cloaked in moss — turning everyday walls into air-cleaning, climate-cooling ecosystems. This isn’t just decoration. It’s a defense against urban heat and pollution. A quiet, green revolution is rising — brick by brick. #space #design #greenconstruction #architecture #innovation

Your feed today is full of things like a zero waste goal by 2030 - Microsoft's Melanie Nakagawa, half of the raw materials we purchased were produced with sustainable source - the LEGO Group's Ryan Shay. That's all great, but This year's # EarthDay theme is "Our Power, Our Planet." What are companies and individuals actually doing, like implementing real change and walking, not just talking? One company, in particular, has fundamentally 'cemented' this mindset in everything it does. From what comes in, to what goes out, this company IS Earth Day at its core: PLAEX Building Systems Inc. It's rare to find a company whose production begins at a negative cost, let alone eliminates plastic and solid waste in the process. It's even more unique to identify a company that uses the same recycled materials to manufacture a product that replaces the same product that adds to the solid waste crisis. PLAEX replaces concrete cinder blocks with bricks made from 90% recycled materials, saving up to 35% on construction costs and eliminating cure times, resulting in build timelines that are three times faster. Currently undergoing ASTM standards certification testing to certify water repellent, fire retardant, impact, and UV resistance, the PLAEX line of products has its eyes not only on: ♻️Reducing Global Overall Waste ♻️Solving Construction Labor Shortage ♻️Lowering Construction Costs But also has these challenges within range: 🎯 Homeless Shelters 🎯 Fire Retardant Housing and Communities 🎯 Disaster Temporary Dwelling