Periodically, we have witnessed how the coasts of Quintana Roo have suffered from severe sargassum algae blooms, representing a major problem for local residents who, year after year, dedicate themselves to exhaustively cleaning the beaches during the April-August season. Various media outlets have reported that the cause of the sargassum is still unknown; however, some theories link it to climate change and variations in the Atlantic Ocean. Currently, the non-governmental organization Red de Monitoreo del Sargazo de Quintana Roo (Quintana Roo Sargassum Monitoring Network) monitors sargassum presence in the region. According to its latest alert level system, there are 22 locations with an excessive presence of this macroalgae, and the same number considered abundant.
During the 2018 season, nearly 60 tons of sargassum were removed from the coasts, prompting locals to wonder how to turn this natural phenomenon to their advantage. Six years earlier, this question had led Omar Vázquez Sánchez to found Blue-Green in Puerto Morelos, a company that demonstrated the usefulness of sargassum as a biomaterial in the construction sector by building—in just 15 days—a house using blocks made from adobe and sargassum. This mixture underwent resistance testing by UNAM and proved capable of withstanding major earthquakes and hurricane-force winds.
This September marks four years since the construction of “Casa Angelita,” the world's first house made of sargassum. Blue-Green is currently working in Belize and the Dominican Republic, and has signed an agreement with the French Embassy for the French Antilles. The material is growing in popularity because building costs are reduced by 30% to 40% compared to standard home construction. This was achieved through the design of the construction system, which saves 70% on materials like cement and rebar. Additionally, the material has shown excellent thermal and acoustic properties, sparking significant interest in the construction sector.
Today, thanks to the research conducted by Omar Vázquez Sánchez and Blue-Green, the first block made from sargassum is now a reality. The mixture is created by dehydrating and crushing the seaweed, combining it with organic pruning waste and limestone to make up the remaining 60%. The block requires no baking and dries in approximately six hours, costing around $12. It features two 2-inch internal cavities that simplify construction as well as plumbing and electrical installations. Furthermore, they help regulate indoor temperatures by promoting heat dissipation.
This proactive approach to transforming natural phenomena into community benefits has sparked interest from several developers and construction companies looking to scale up the process for future sustainable housing developments. This presents a major opportunity to continue studying natural phenomena and design architecture that addresses the specific needs of its site without harming the environment. To date, Blue-Green continues to grow with support from various organizations focused on driving ecological restoration through innovative strategies, such as the UNDP Accelerator Labs. Currently, 13 homes have been donated to low-income families.
For more information, visit Blue-Green.
This article was written by Mónica Arellano. The translation is powered by AI.
