IN-PERSON Barcelona. Section A

Abstract

Design and construction with bio-based materials have great potential to tackle environmental-related challenges, and research in this field is showing, for example, how certain biomaterials can be produced at room temperature and have lower embedded energy or support circular economy strategies by integrating discarded agricultural and industrial resources that are removed from waste streams. More importantly, some biomaterials have similar or improved mechanical and hygrothermal properties compared to standard construction products and can be grown and manufactured locally, drastically reducing emissions, costs, and energy use associated with materials transportation. This aspect is especially relevant in the case of remote and isolated communities in Northern Canada, where costly and reduced accessibility to construction materials, combined with extreme climate conditions and colonial architectural typologies, diminish the ability of the population living in these regions to develop self-sufficient materials and energy management strategies. This research aims to address some of these challenges by presenting prototypes of composite mycelium and bacterial cellulose-based materials that can be grown and installed in northern communities and contribute to addressing housing accessibility in extreme climates.