Articles tagged with "sustainable-building"
Photos: Student-led robotic assembly methods enable fully reversible modular construction
The Arkhive project, developed by master’s students from UCL’s Bartlett School of Architecture Design for Manufacture program, showcases an innovative approach to sustainable building through robotic fabrication and fully reversible modular construction. The full-scale pavilion uses an adaptable timber truss structure assembled with industrial robotic arms, enabling high precision in creating complex geometries. Central to the design is a "material bank" concept, where every component retains its structural integrity for future reuse, promoting a circular economy by allowing disassembly without material loss through reversible joinery systems like cam-lock connections instead of traditional fasteners. The pavilion’s unique structural logic features two twisting timber arches braced by robotically assembled ladder-beam trusses, demonstrating how standardized modular components can form stable, non-linear architectural forms. The project was a collaborative effort involving academic tutors, students, and structural engineers, ensuring both design innovation and technical feasibility. Initially exhibited at The Bartlett’s Fifteen Show in 2024, the refined final version was installed at St Andrews Bot
roboticsmodular-constructionrobotic-assemblysustainable-buildingtimber-structuresreversible-joineryarchitectural-roboticsSelf-powered smart windows operates without wiring or external power
South Korean engineers from Blue Device, a company founded at KAIST, have developed a self-powered smart window that addresses two major challenges in climate control: high costs and heavy energy consumption. This innovative Nanoparticle Solar Smart Window, honored at CES 2026 for sustainability and energy transition, operates without wiring or external power by integrating solar panels and harvesting ambient indoor light. Its proprietary nanoparticle liquid inside the glass creates a self-contained, maintenance-free system that maintains its smart properties permanently throughout the window’s lifespan. This wireless design enables easy installation in various settings, from modern offices to off-grid locations, while reducing upfront costs by over 50 percent and cutting building energy use by up to 40 percent. Traditional smart glass technologies like Electrochromic and PDLC windows require complex wiring, external power, and frequent replacements, leading to high installation costs and continued carbon emissions. In contrast, Blue Device’s solution eliminates these barriers by functioning autonomously with zero indirect emissions and even trickle-charging from indoor
energysmart-windowsnanoparticle-technologysolar-energysustainable-buildingenergy-efficiencygreen-technology7 tallest skyscrapers in the world and the engineering behind them
The article highlights the seven tallest skyscrapers in the world as of 2026, emphasizing their architectural innovation and engineering feats that push the limits of vertical construction. Leading the list is Dubai’s Burj Khalifa, standing at 2,717 feet with 163 floors, featuring a distinctive Y-shaped buttressed core system inspired by regional floral and Islamic designs. This structural approach enhances wind resistance and torsional rigidity, supporting its mixed-use program of residences, offices, hotels, and observation decks. Following is Malaysia’s Merdeka 118, completed in 2023 at 2,227 feet with 118 floors, combining hospitality, retail, and observation spaces to serve as a national landmark and economic hub in Kuala Lumpur. Other notable buildings include Shanghai Tower in China, the third tallest at 2,073 feet with 128 floors, which integrates advanced sustainability technologies such as wind turbines and cogeneration systems to reduce energy consumption by up to 54%. Its spiraling form improves wind and seismic
materialsstructural-engineeringskyscrapersarchitectural-innovationsustainable-buildingconstruction-technologyenergy-efficiencyChina could meet half of construction demand with recycled sand: Study
A study led by Tsinghua University reveals that recycled sand and gravel from demolished buildings could meet up to half of China’s construction material demand by 2050. Utilizing advanced recycling technologies and circular economy practices, some provinces could recover as much as 65 percent of aggregates, significantly reducing reliance on natural resources. This shift is critical as China, the world’s largest consumer of aggregates due to its extensive infrastructure projects, seeks to alleviate environmental degradation caused by traditional extraction methods like riverbed sand mining. The researchers developed the China Aggregate Metabolism Provincial Scenarios (CHAMPS) model to analyze aggregate supply and demand across 31 provinces from 1978 to 2050. Their findings indicate that aggregate demand peaked in 2015 and is expected to decline by about 50 percent by 2050. Recycling rates, currently below 20 percent, could increase to between 35 and 65 percent with proper policy support, enabling recycled aggregates to constitute nearly half of the total supply and surpass manufactured aggregates
materialsrecyclingconstructionsustainable-buildingcircular-economyaggregatesChinaSpider-like robot can 3D print homes in a day to fight housing crunch
Australia has developed an advanced spider-like robot named Charlotte, designed to address the housing crisis by 3D printing low-cost, low-carbon homes rapidly. Created through a collaboration between Crest Robotics and Earthbuilt Technology, Charlotte can autonomously print a 200-square-metre house within 24 hours by transforming readily available materials such as sand, earth, and crushed brick into structural walls. The robot employs a sustainable Earthbagging-like technique, compacting these materials in fabric layers to build durable structures efficiently, offering a scalable solution to the slow and costly traditional construction methods. Beyond Earth, Charlotte is engineered for lunar construction, supporting NASA and other space agencies' ambitions to establish permanent bases on the Moon. Its lightweight, foldable hexapod design makes it highly portable for space travel, unlike bulky traditional 3D printers, and allows it to extrude and compact lunar soil to build habitats such as domed shelters. This innovation positions Charlotte within a competitive global effort alongside companies like ICON and AI SpaceFactory
robotics3D-printingconstruction-technologylunar-habitatsautonomous-robotssustainable-buildingspace-explorationFungi-based insulation boards tested in Germany absorb CO2, block mold
Researchers at Hof University of Applied Sciences in Germany have developed innovative insulation boards made from fungal mycelium, offering a sustainable and compostable alternative to conventional synthetic materials. The project, called Mycobuild, aims to scale production from lab to industrial levels by 2026. These fungi-based boards are grown on substrates made from locally sourced plant residues like dry straw, where fungal networks bind the material into solid panels. Unlike traditional insulation, these boards absorb CO2, resist mold formation, and require less energy to produce, making them environmentally friendly and carbon-storing. One of the main challenges addressed by the team involves controlling fungal growth to prevent contamination and mold, achieved through sterile conditions and careful substrate nutrient balance. To enhance durability and moisture resistance—key factors for commercial viability—the boards are coated with a mineral top layer developed in collaboration with a building materials firm. This coating not only protects against moisture and mold but also increases the material’s strength. The researchers are working toward fully waterproof insulation panels.
materialsinsulationfungi-based-materialssustainable-buildingcarbon-capturebio-based-insulationgreen-constructionCanada Must Treat Timber Like Cars, Not Cabins - CleanTechnica
The article from CleanTechnica argues that Canada faces a dual crisis: a severe housing shortage compounded by an aging construction workforce, alongside the urgent need to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from building materials. Traditional construction methods relying heavily on concrete and steel contribute significantly to embodied carbon emissions, which occur before buildings are even occupied. To address both housing affordability and climate goals, the article advocates for a shift toward mass timber construction combined with modular manufacturing. Mass timber, exemplified by Milwaukee’s Ascent tower—the world’s tallest mass timber building—offers a sustainable alternative that sequesters carbon, reduces construction time, and is scalable for urban housing needs. The author emphasizes that Canada should treat housing construction like advanced manufacturing, producing apartments and mid-rise condos in factories using standardized designs and mass timber panels or modules. This industrial approach can overcome labor shortages, accelerate delivery by 30-50%, and drastically cut embodied carbon emissions. Policy recommendations include government acting as an anchor customer through multi-year contracts, creating pattern books of pre
energymaterialsmass-timbermodular-constructionembodied-carbonsustainable-buildinggreen-constructionThe House "That YouTube Built" (Has Solar Power) - CleanTechnica
The article "The House 'That YouTube Built' (Has Solar Power)" from CleanTechnica tells the story of a senior woman who moved from Baltimore to rural Idaho and built her own homestead despite having no prior experience in construction. Motivated by dissatisfaction with existing properties, she learned through research and built two attractive 20x24-foot cabins and a smaller 12x24-foot workshop over 20 months. The workshop features an arched, inverted boat hull design to prevent snow accumulation, reflecting a family connection to boatbuilding. The cabins each cost about $125,000 including labor, while the workshop cost $11,000. Her homestead is powered by ground-mounted solar arrays paired with home batteries, and she uses energy-efficient appliances. She also cultivates food from trees, chickens, and various plants, enjoying the rural lifestyle and natural surroundings. Although the unique arched design might affect resale value, she built the structures for herself and values the personal fulfillment from this new chapter in
solar-powerrenewable-energyhome-batteriesenergy-efficiencysustainable-buildingsolar-energyclean-energyMass Timber’s Edge: Smaller Crews, Quicker Builds, New Floors Above - CleanTechnica
The article highlights the growing advantages of mass timber construction beyond its well-known environmental benefits, emphasizing its significant time and labor efficiencies. Mass timber projects consistently demonstrate faster build times and require smaller, more specialized crews compared to traditional concrete construction. For example, the nine-story Stadthaus building in London was erected by just four carpenters in 27 working days, whereas a comparable concrete frame would take five to six months with much larger crews. Similarly, Vancouver’s 18-story Brock Commons timber tower was completed in 66 days by nine installers, while a concrete equivalent would need six to eight months and 40 to 60 workers. Other projects like Minneapolis’s T3 office and Melbourne’s Forté building reinforce these findings, showing that mass timber can halve construction schedules and reduce onsite labor by 60 to 70 percent. This shift in construction methodology also changes workforce demands, concentrating labor into fewer, higher-skilled roles such as CNC operators, timber framers, and 3D modelers who work
materialsmass-timberconstruction-technologysustainable-buildingmodular-constructionCLTgreen-building-materialsBuilding The Workforce & Finance Tools For Mass Timber Growth - CleanTechnica
The article from CleanTechnica discusses the critical non-technical barriers to scaling mass timber construction in Canada, emphasizing workforce development and financial tools as key areas for growth. While mass timber’s engineering, fire safety, and carbon benefits are well established, challenges remain in economics, institutional support, and skilled labor availability. Unlike Europe, which has coordinated training programs producing skilled workers in digital modeling, CNC operation, and modular construction, Canada lacks a national strategy to develop the specialized workforce needed to support mass timber’s expansion. The article calls for collaboration among educational institutions and industry to train thousands of workers over the next decade. Financial volatility, particularly lumber price swings, presents another major hurdle. Unlike concrete and steel, mass timber lacks established futures markets or hedging mechanisms, making project costs unpredictable and deterring developers. The article stresses the need for financial instruments, long-term contracts, or vertical integration to stabilize input costs and enable reliable pricing. Insurance is also a concern, as Canadian insurers remain cautious due to limited data
materialsmass-timbercross-laminated-timbermodular-constructionsustainable-buildingconstruction-technologytimber-industryHow Carney’s Housing Initiative Can Industrialize Canada’s Mass Timber Sector - CleanTechnica
Canada faces a severe housing affordability crisis intertwined with its climate commitments, as traditional construction methods using concrete and steel lock in high greenhouse gas emissions. Mark Carney’s Build Canada Homes initiative aims to address both issues by targeting the construction of 500,000 new homes annually using modular and mass timber (cross-laminated timber, CLT) methods. The initiative pairs this target with low-cost loans, equity support, and standardized design templates to promote faster, higher-quality, and more sustainable construction. However, past attempts at modular building in Canada have struggled due to focusing on detached homes, fluctuating demand, and slow, inconsistent municipal permitting processes. The article argues that for the initiative to succeed, the government must act as a stable, guaranteed buyer by issuing multi-year offtake contracts to modular and CLT factories, ensuring steady demand and high factory utilization. It should also publish pre-approved design templates for mid-rise multifamily housing (six to twelve storeys) and fast-track permitting for projects using
materialsmass-timbermodular-constructionprefabricationsustainable-buildinghousing-innovationclimate-targetsAustrian hook-and-loop fastener to cut building repair costs
Scientists at Graz University of Technology (TU Graz) in Austria have developed an innovative hook-and-loop fastening system designed to reduce construction waste and facilitate easier building repairs and adaptations. Inspired by Velcro, this 3D-printed fastener incorporates mushroom-shaped hooks directly into building components such as concrete, wood, or paper-based materials, enabling secure yet reversible connections. This allows structural elements like floors, interior walls, and installations to be swapped or upgraded without demolition, significantly extending a building’s service life and reducing material consumption. The fastener has demonstrated tensile strength comparable to industrial fasteners in laboratory tests, with future production methods like injection molding or stamped metal expected to enhance performance further. Primarily intended for indoor use on non-load-bearing walls and components housing wiring or plumbing, the system supports more sustainable construction practices by enabling selective replacement of worn or outdated parts. Complementing this, the ReCon project team also developed a digital tagging system using embedded RFID chips and QR codes to track material composition and installation data
materialsconstruction-technologysustainable-building3D-printingfastenersbuilding-repairconstruction-waste-reductionNew heat pump with built-in EV charger cuts costs, speeds setup
Mitsubishi Electric and EVHACS have jointly developed the world’s first integrated heat pump and electric vehicle (EV) charger, combining renewable heating, cooling, and smart EV charging into a single compact unit. This innovation simplifies infrastructure by requiring only one electrical connection, reducing installation complexity, speeding deployment, and lowering total system costs for both homeowners and commercial operators. The system intelligently shares electrical capacity between heating, cooling, and EV charging to prevent overloads, avoid costly grid upgrades, and maintain optimal performance during peak demand. The integrated solution offers two EV charger versions—a 1-phase 7.4 kW and a 3-phase 22 kW device—with tethered charging cables designed to preserve building aesthetics. By merging Mitsubishi Electric’s advanced heat pump technology with EVHACS’ patented EV charging, the product supports AC charging and integrates seamlessly with home energy management systems. This convergence of technologies aims to make low-carbon energy solutions more accessible and practical, helping users decarbonize buildings and vehicles
energyrenewable-energyheat-pumpelectric-vehicle-chargerenergy-efficiencysmart-home-technologysustainable-buildingNew curing concrete can reduce cracks, save 8 billion liters of water
Asian Paints has launched CureAssure, the world’s first internal curing concrete additive, in the UAE. This innovative self-curing liquid additive eliminates the need for traditional external curing by enhancing moisture retention within the concrete, enabling controlled and uniform hydration. CureAssure is chloride-free and compatible with all types of portland cement, including those with pozzolanic materials, and various admixtures. It is suitable for diverse concrete applications such as pumped, precast, high fluidity, high strength, ready-mixed, and long-distance transport concrete. The key benefits of CureAssure include significant water savings—up to eight billion liters annually in the UAE—and a reduction in shrinkage cracks due to minimized stress during hydration. The additive is mixed with gauging water during batching and requires specific mixing protocols to optimize performance. Asian Paints emphasizes that CureAssure represents a fundamental shift in curing technology by addressing hydration internally rather than relying on external methods, resulting in more durable and reliable concrete structures.
materialsconcrete-additivewater-conservationconstruction-technologysustainable-buildingpolymer-additivescrack-reductionWhat's Different About A Net Zero Hotel? - CleanTechnica
The article discusses the concept and practical implementation of net zero hotels, highlighting the hospitality industry's significant contribution to greenhouse gas emissions—over 8 million tons annually—and the challenges of achieving carbon neutrality without sacrificing guest experience. It explains that hotel emissions fall into three categories: Scope 1 (direct emissions from gas use), Scope 2 (electricity consumption), and Scope 3 (indirect emissions such as business travel and supply chains). To become net zero, hotels must balance their carbon output with removal or offsets, adopting comprehensive sustainability practices. Key elements of a net zero hotel include waste reduction through closed-loop recycling, sustainable building design using eco-friendly materials and energy-efficient architecture, renewable energy sources (such as solar and wind), water conservation via low-flow fixtures, and eco-friendly transportation options for guests. Responsible tourism practices also play a role, emphasizing locally sourced, organic products and community engagement. The article features a case study of the Sugar House Hotel in Winooski, Vermont, an eight-story,
energyrenewable-energynet-zerosustainable-buildingcarbon-neutralitygreen-architectureenergy-efficiencyLive bacteria-infused sustainable building material traps CO2 from air
Researchers at ETH Zurich have developed an innovative, sustainable building material infused with live cyanobacteria that actively captures atmospheric carbon dioxide through photosynthesis and biocementation. This 3D-printed hydrogel-based material houses photosynthetic bacteria within a polymer network designed to optimize light, CO2, water, and nutrient flow, enabling the bacteria to remain productive for over a year. The material sequesters CO2 both biologically and by forming stable mineral carbonates, which strengthen the initially soft gel into a robust, hardened structure over time. Laboratory tests demonstrated that the material can bind approximately 26 milligrams of CO2 per gram, outperforming typical biological methods and rivaling chemical mineralization in recycled concrete. The technology has moved beyond the lab, with large-scale installations such as the "Picoplanktonics" exhibit at the Architecture Biennale in Venice, featuring three-meter-high structures capable of capturing up to 18 kilograms of CO2 annually—comparable to a mature pine tree.
materialssustainable-buildingcarbon-captureliving-materialscyanobacteria3D-printingbiocementationWebinar: Why clean construction doesn’t equal costly construction
clean-constructionlow-carbon-materialssustainable-buildingenergy-efficiencycarbon-emissionsCanadian-industriesinfrastructure-development