Building Better
Construction materials to consider for a more sustainable build
Sydney, NSW, Australia

Photography Edward Birch, Peter Clarke, Jack Lovel, Diana Snape, Emma Cross, Kai Wasikowski
Words Sophie Sisko

Most of us are aware of the environmental implications our building industry is having on the planet. Though it is unrealistic to expect this to slow the progress of development, there are alternative building methods and materials we can consider that are kinder to our environment and look fantastic.

Gallery Of Great Wall By Luigi Rosselli Architects Local Design And Interiors Wa Image 1
Great Wall of WA by Luigi Rosselli Architects is the longest rammed earth wall in Australia. Photographed by Edward Birch.

Rammed Earth is a construction technique that dates back to the Neolithic era and has remained prominent because of its highly competitive properties. Comprising of primarily pressed earth, often from the area of the site, rammed earth has a natural finish that replicates the colour of its surroundings and requires no further plastering or render. This structural material has a high thermal mass and low embodied energy as well as impressive noise and temperature insulation capabilities.

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Interior shot of The Great Wall of WA. Interior design by Sarah Foletta. Photographed by Edward Birch.
Gallery Of Charcoal Rammed Earth Wall By Branch Studio Architects Local Design And Interiors Image 1
Charcoal rammed earth wall built by Olnee Construction and designed by Branch Studio Architects. Photographed by Peter Clarke.
Gallery Of Rammed Earth By David Hicks Local Design And Interiors Image 1
Rammed earth interior built by Olnee Construction and designed by David Hicks. Photographed by Jack Lovel.
Gallery Of Home Built Using Hempcrete Local Design And Interiors Image 1
Home built using Hempcrete. Image courtesy of The Australian Hemp Masonry Company.

Hempcrete is another composite stone product that consists of hemp and lime. It shares similar insulative and moisture resistant qualities as rammed earth, however does not have the same structural abilities and does require framing. As a plant-based product, Hemprete absorbs CO2 from the atmosphere, retaining the CO and releasing the oxygen.

Gallery Of Docklands Library By Clare Design Local Design And Interiors Docklands,vic Image 1
Docklands Library by Clare Design was the first commercial building in Australia to be built with CLT. Photographed by Diana Snape.

Cross laminated timber (CLT) is breaking into the Australian market after being used as a structural building material in Europe for many years. Similar to rammed earth, CLT does not require an additional finish which allows it to boast its raw and tactile natural timber texture.

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Docklands Library. Photographed by Diana Snape.
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Docklands Library. Photographed by Diana Snape.
Gallery Of Docklands Library By Clare Design Local Commerical Architecture And Interiors Docklands,vic Image 4
Docklands Library. Photographed by Diana Snape.
Gallery Of Docklands Library By Clare Design Local Commerical Architecture And Interiors Docklands,vic Image 5
CLT can be pre-cut to size offsite, making it a very time efficient material choice. In fact, the Library at the Dock went up in 60 days with a team of six builders. Photographed by Emma Cross.

An age-old resource, that has been used for centuries in south-east Asia, is bamboo. Known for its strength and highly renewable nature, bamboo has the capacity to be utilized as a structural material. However, as it does not have a structural rating in Australia (yet) it is being used in a variety of other architectural applications such as flooring, fencing and cladding.

Gallery Of Woven Sky By Wang Wen Chih Local Design And Interiors Image 1
Cave Urban is an architectural firm that has worked to research and develop bamboo as a building material in Australia. They have created several art installations such as the above image called Woven Sky designed by Wang Wen Chih for the Woodford Folk Festival. Photographed by Kai Wasikowski.

So, whether it’s new technologies or ancient building methods from around the world, there are a broad number of options available when it comes to choosing a material that’s right for you and the environment.

Published 23 August, 2018
Photography  Edward Birch, Peter Clarke, Jack Lovel, Diana Snape, Emma Cross, Kai Wasikowski
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