Showcasing Innovation

To ‘break the mould’ of typical construction projects and avoid using industry-standard construction materials, many material suppliers are finding new ways of producing materials which inflict less harm on the environment. An important part of Material Works’ strategy is to shine a light on new materials which could become the new norm within the industry and working with suppliers and innovators to ensure the material is robust and appropriate for use. 

In previous projects we have worked with mycelium as an example of a new innovation which could reduce the construction industry’s reliance on synthetic materials. Mycelium, the root structure of fungus has high insulatory properties and can be used to achieve high thermal performance in new external walls and reduce the likelihood or damp or mould as it is a breathable material. Allowing moisture to permeate a wall is a process which has been relied upon in traditional construction methods for centuries. Synthetic insulation prevent this process from occurring and as a result mould and damp is more likely to occur. 

Similarly, other material innovators use waste to create new materials, such as Kenoteq who have created a non-fired 100% waste brick and Deakin Bio who are using waste from a ceramics factory in Stoke to make a new non-fired ceramic tile alternative.