- R A M M E D E A R T H
This age-old technique has existed since at least the Neolithic period and involves compressing damp earth to construct foundations, floors and walls.
- C O B
Similar to rammed earth but with straw included to act as a binder.
Similar to rammed earth but where individual bricks are formed from the local soil.
- S T R A W-B A L E C O N S T R U C T I O N
Although this method of constructing walls is ancient, it has seen a recent revival among passive environmentally friendly designs.
- B I O C O N C R E T E
A recent development by a microbiologist, this is like regular concrete but mixed with a type of bacteria which is capable of self-repairing cracks when activated by water.
- A S H C R E T E
This is an alternative to concrete which involves using fly ash instead of cement.
- P A P E R C R E T E
This material is created by combining re-pulped paper fibre with Portland cement and soil.
- B A M B O O
This versatile and durable material can be used for almost every element of a building and is considered one of the most eco-friendly materials on the planet.
- E A R T H S H I P H O M ES
These are typically off-the-grid homes which are constructed entirely with recycled and/or natural materials.
- S H I P P I N G C O N T A I N E R H O M E S
Utilising a used shipping container to form the shell of your home has become more popular in recent years.
- 3-D P R I N T I N G
Recent innovations in technology have meant that printing houses is now a possibility.
- M Y C E L I U M
Although yet not a tried and tested construction technique, this rootlike part of fungus has recently been used to manufacture furniture and could start being used as an organic building material.
- F E R R O C K
This is a material which involves making use of steel dust, which is a by-product produced by the steel industry, to create a concrete-like building material.
- C R U M B R U B B E R
Recycled rubber produced from particles of used tires. Typically used for surfacing and roofing purposes.
- D E S E R T S A N D C O N C R E T E
As typical types of sand used in construction is dwindling, this type of concrete could become very popular if successful in development.
- I C E
Only works in certain climates. Every year in Jukkasjarvi, a village in Sweden, they build an entire hotel of out ice which melts as the season changes.
- B O T T L E S
Glass bottles have been known to have been used in wall construction, usually in conjunction with cob/rammed earth. There is a temple in Thailand made from more than 1 million beer bottles.
- S A L T
Not the most widely used material in construction. The hotel Palacio de Sal Resort is a hotel constructed from salt on a Bolivian salt plain.
- P L A S P H AL T
Typically used for road construction, this product is made up of grains of plastic waste which replaces sand and gravel in asphalt production.
- N E W S P A P E R W O O D
This is created simply by rolling up old newspapers and combining with glue. This can be used in many cases as an alternative to wood