Embodied Energy in Building Materials: What it is and How to Calculate It

All human activities affect the environment. Some are less impactful, some much, much more. According to the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP), the construction sector is responsible for up to 30% of all greenhouse gas emissions. Activities such as mining, processing, transportation, industrial operations, and the combination of chemical products result in the release of gases such as CO2, CH4, N2O, O3, halocarbons, and water vapor. When these gases are released into the atmosphere, they absorb a portion of the sun's rays and redistribute them in the form of radiation in the atmosphere, warming our planet. With a rampant amount of gas released daily, this layer thickens, which causes solar radiation to enter and and stay in the planet. Today, this 'layer' has become so thick that mankind is beginning to experience severe consequence, such as desertification, ice melting, water scarcity, and the intensification of storms, hurricanes, and floods, which has modified ecosystems and reduced biodiversity.

As architects, one of our biggest concerns should be the reduction of carbon emissions from the buildings we construct. Being able to measure, quantify, and rate this quality is a good way to start.

Is It Possible to Mix Local Materials and 3D Printing?

The art of building a shelter made from blocks of ice is passed on from father to son among the Inuit, native peoples who inhabit the northernmost regions of the planet. The circular plan, the entrance tunnel, the air outlet and the ice blocks form a structure where the heat generated inside melts a superficial layer of snow and seals the gaps, improving the thermal insulation of ice. In a storm, an igloo can be the difference between life and death and perhaps this is the most iconic and radical example of what it means to build with local materials, few tools and lots of knowledge. In this case, ice is all you have.

Taking advantage of abundant resources and local labor are key concepts for sustainable architecture, which are often overlooked at the expense of solutions replicated from other contexts. With new demands and technologies, the globalization of building materials and construction techniques, is there still room for local materials? More specifically in relation to 3D printed constructions, are we destined to erect them only in concrete?

Mies van der Rohe’s Neue Nationalgalerie Reopens with an Alexander Calder Exhibition

After being closed for six and a half years for a renovation by David Chipperfield Architects, the Berlin museum reopened Sunday, August 22.

West Half / ODA New York

West Half  / ODA New York - Exterior Photography, Apartments, Facade, BalconyWest Half  / ODA New York - Exterior Photography, Apartments, Facade, BalconyWest Half  / ODA New York - Exterior Photography, Apartments, Facade, Handrail, DoorWest Half  / ODA New York - Interior Photography, Apartments, Lighting, Chair, TableWest Half  / ODA New York - More Images+ 18

Southwark Brick House / Satish Jassal Architects

Southwark Brick House / Satish Jassal Architects - Exterior Photography, Houses, FacadeSouthwark Brick House / Satish Jassal Architects - Interior Photography, Houses, FacadeSouthwark Brick House / Satish Jassal Architects - Interior Photography, Houses, Deck, Door, FacadeSouthwark Brick House / Satish Jassal Architects - Interior Photography, Houses, Fence, Door, Facade, Beam, Handrail, Stairs, BalconySouthwark Brick House / Satish Jassal Architects - More Images+ 32

Southwark Township, United Kingdom

Plot ABC / Blue Temple

Plot ABC / Blue Temple - Exterior Photography, Other Structures, Facade, CityscapePlot ABC / Blue Temple - Interior Photography, Other StructuresPlot ABC / Blue Temple - Exterior Photography, Other StructuresPlot ABC / Blue Temple - Exterior Photography, Other Structures, GardenPlot ABC / Blue Temple - More Images+ 22

Songzhuang Micro Community Park / Crossboundaries

Songzhuang Micro Community Park / Crossboundaries - Exterior Photography, Park, Garden, FacadeSongzhuang Micro Community Park / Crossboundaries - Exterior Photography, ParkSongzhuang Micro Community Park / Crossboundaries - Exterior Photography, Park, FacadeSongzhuang Micro Community Park / Crossboundaries - Interior Photography, Park, Facade, Stairs, ChairSongzhuang Micro Community Park / Crossboundaries - More Images+ 33

Beijing, China

Nantong Public Cultural Center / TJAD Time & Space Architecture

Nantong Public Cultural Center / TJAD Time & Space Architecture - Exterior Photography, Cultural Center, Facade, CityscapeNantong Public Cultural Center / TJAD Time & Space Architecture - Exterior Photography, Cultural Center, FacadeNantong Public Cultural Center / TJAD Time & Space Architecture - Exterior Photography, Cultural Center, FacadeNantong Public Cultural Center / TJAD Time & Space Architecture - Interior Photography, Cultural Center, FacadeNantong Public Cultural Center / TJAD Time & Space Architecture - More Images+ 35

  • Architects: TJAD
  • Area Area of this architecture project Area:  30000
  • Year Completion year of this architecture project Year:  2020

Sky Castle / ENESS

Sky Castle / ENESS - Exterior Photography, Temporary Installations, Facade, Arch, CityscapeSky Castle / ENESS - Exterior Photography, Temporary Installations, Garden, Facade, Arch, CityscapeSky Castle / ENESS - Interior Photography, Temporary Installations, Arch, FacadeSky Castle / ENESS - Interior Photography, Temporary Installations, Facade, Arcade, Column, ArchSky Castle / ENESS - More Images

  • Artists: ENESS
  • Area Area of this architecture project Area:  500
  • Year Completion year of this architecture project Year:  2020

K House / OSO Architecture

K House / OSO Architecture - Exterior Photography, Houses, Facade, StairsK House / OSO Architecture - Interior Photography, Houses, Facade, Beam, Lighting, TableK House / OSO Architecture - Interior Photography, Houses, Kitchen, Beam, Handrail, BedK House / OSO Architecture - Interior Photography, Houses, Garden, Facade, DoorK House / OSO Architecture - More Images+ 19

  • Architects: OSO
  • Area Area of this architecture project Area:  96
  • Year Completion year of this architecture project Year:  2020

Ashen Cabin / HANNAH Office

Ashen Cabin / HANNAH Office - Exterior Photography, Houses, ForestAshen Cabin / HANNAH Office - Exterior Photography, Houses, StairsAshen Cabin / HANNAH Office - Interior Photography, Houses, Beam, Facade, HandrailAshen Cabin / HANNAH Office - Interior Photography, Houses, BeamAshen Cabin / HANNAH Office - More Images+ 26

  • Architects: HANNAH
  • Year Completion year of this architecture project Year:  2021

Louveira Apartment / Ana Sawaia Arquitetura

Louveira Apartment / Ana Sawaia Arquitetura - Interior Photography, Apartment Interiors, ChairLouveira Apartment / Ana Sawaia Arquitetura - Interior Photography, Apartment InteriorsLouveira Apartment / Ana Sawaia Arquitetura - Interior Photography, Apartment Interiors, ChairLouveira Apartment / Ana Sawaia Arquitetura - Interior Photography, Apartment InteriorsLouveira Apartment / Ana Sawaia Arquitetura - More Images+ 44

  • Area Area of this architecture project Area:  140
  • Year Completion year of this architecture project Year:  2020
  • Manufacturers Brands with products used in this architecture project
    Manufacturers:  Amorim Cortinas, Aplicadora Ipê, Deca, Docol, Estudio Artigas, +12

The Department Store Studios / Squire & Partners

The Department Store Studios / Squire & Partners - Exterior Photography, Office Buildings
© Jack Hobhouse

The Department Store Studios / Squire & Partners - Interior Photography, Office Buildings, Kitchen, ChairThe Department Store Studios / Squire & Partners - Interior Photography, Office BuildingsThe Department Store Studios / Squire & Partners - Exterior Photography, Office BuildingsThe Department Store Studios / Squire & Partners - Interior Photography, Office BuildingsThe Department Store Studios / Squire & Partners - More Images+ 37

Del Río Pharmacy / güey studio

Del Río Pharmacy / güey studio - Interior Photography, Retail InteriorsDel Río Pharmacy / güey studio - Retail InteriorsDel Río Pharmacy / güey studio - Interior Photography, Retail InteriorsDel Río Pharmacy / güey studio - Interior Photography, Retail Interiors, KitchenDel Río Pharmacy / güey studio - More Images+ 27

Puerto Vallarta, Mexico
  • Architects: güey studio
  • Area Area of this architecture project Area:  77
  • Year Completion year of this architecture project Year:  2021
  • Manufacturers Brands with products used in this architecture project
    Manufacturers:  Arkiramica, Gree, Pinturas Berel, USG
  • Professionals: Morphe arquitectos

Chicago Architecture Center and Chicago Architecture Club Announce Seven Finalists of 2021 Thompson Center Design Competition

The Chicago Architecture Center and Chicago Architecture Club have announced the seven finalists of the Thompson Center Design Competition, which called for new and innovative visions for the Illinois Thompson Center designed by Helmut Jahn in 1984. The winning design proposal will be announced during the opening of the September 14 pop-up exhibition of finalists work at the Chicago Architecture Center, and will run through October.

Chicago Architecture Center and Chicago Architecture Club Announce Seven Finalists of 2021 Thompson Center Design Competition - Image 1 of 4Chicago Architecture Center and Chicago Architecture Club Announce Seven Finalists of 2021 Thompson Center Design Competition - Image 2 of 4Chicago Architecture Center and Chicago Architecture Club Announce Seven Finalists of 2021 Thompson Center Design Competition - Image 3 of 4Chicago Architecture Center and Chicago Architecture Club Announce Seven Finalists of 2021 Thompson Center Design Competition - Image 7 of 4Chicago Architecture Center and Chicago Architecture Club Announce Seven Finalists of 2021 Thompson Center Design Competition - More Images+ 27

Guilin Lebei Homestay Hotel / aoe

Guilin Lebei Homestay Hotel / aoe - Exterior Photography, Cabins & Lodges, Garden, LightingGuilin Lebei Homestay Hotel / aoe - Exterior Photography, Cabins & Lodges, Handrail, Fence, BeamGuilin Lebei Homestay Hotel / aoe - Exterior Photography, Cabins & Lodges, Garden, Facade, StairsGuilin Lebei Homestay Hotel / aoe - Exterior Photography, Cabins & Lodges, Garden, Handrail, FenceGuilin Lebei Homestay Hotel / aoe - More Images+ 13

  • Architects: aoe
  • Area Area of this architecture project Area:  608
  • Year Completion year of this architecture project Year:  2021

Using Wood Outdoors Without Worrying About Fire Hazards

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Wood is an extremely versatile material. It allows for the construction of robust and strong structures, while it can also be used as the raw material for delicate objects such as musical instruments. Understanding all its particularities, properties, and behavior is a journey of knowledge that could take a lifetime. Basically, wood is made up of cellulose, hemicellulose, lignin, and mineral elements, and each species has its own unique characteristics. The history of Stradivarius violins, for example, is interesting to mention: they are still worth fortunes and experts argue that luthiers have never been able to replicate their timbre on newer instruments. Researchers point out that the differentiated sound is due to the wood in the body and arm, which went through a submersion process with a mineral solution that increased the decomposition of hemicellulose. The treatment made the wood absorb less moisture, making the sound brighter and more pleasant.

This shows how complex it is to work with a living material like wood. It can swell or shrink depending on weather conditions, how the tree grew or was cut down, etc. And, varying between wet and dry states, it can end up rotting. Such factors must be understood when we work with a natural material, but it can also be a nuisance when we look for the aesthetic appearance of wood while lacking technical precision and maintenance capabilities.

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