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Upscaling Natural Materials in Construction: Earthen, Fast-Growing, and Living Materials

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  • Olga Beatrice Carcassi

    (Graduate School of Architecture, Planning and Preservation, Columbia University, New York, NY 10027, USA)

  • Roberta Salierno

    (Architecture, Built Environment and Construction Engineering—ABC Department, Politecnico di Milano, 20133 Milan, Italy
    Management Engineering—DIG Department, Politecnico di Milano, 20133 Milan, Italy)

  • Pietro Augusto Falcinelli

    (Architecture, Built Environment and Construction Engineering—ABC Department, Politecnico di Milano, 20133 Milan, Italy)

  • Ingrid Maria Paoletti

    (Architecture, Built Environment and Construction Engineering—ABC Department, Politecnico di Milano, 20133 Milan, Italy)

  • Lola Ben-Alon

    (Graduate School of Architecture, Planning and Preservation, Columbia University, New York, NY 10027, USA)

Abstract

Despite the numerous advantages of using natural materials, such as fast-growing, living, and earthen materials, their widespread application in the construction industry remains limited. This research presents a perception survey, which investigates stakeholders’ perceptions regarding the market, regulatory barriers, and educational barriers, exploring experiences, motivations, and attitudes toward the adoption of natural materials in construction projects. The results capture variations in current practices and identify patterns for future directions, analyzed in a comparative manner to assess two geographical regions: Europe and North America. The results show that contractor availability, a lack of professional knowledge (mostly in Europe), and cost-to-value perceptions (mostly in the USA) are key barriers to adopting natural materials. The lack of awareness among construction professionals regarding technical aspects highlights the need for targeted training, while the lack of regulatory distinction between living and earth-based materials underscores the need for harmonized policies. By elucidating stakeholders’ perspectives and identifying key challenges, this research aims to inform policymaking, industry practices, and research initiatives aimed at promoting the use of a wider lexicon of construction materials. Ultimately, this study hopes to facilitate the development of strategies to overcome scalability challenges and accelerate the transition toward their implementation in mainstream projects.

Suggested Citation

  • Olga Beatrice Carcassi & Roberta Salierno & Pietro Augusto Falcinelli & Ingrid Maria Paoletti & Lola Ben-Alon, 2024. "Upscaling Natural Materials in Construction: Earthen, Fast-Growing, and Living Materials," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(18), pages 1-20, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:16:y:2024:i:18:p:7926-:d:1475660
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    References listed on IDEAS

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