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Materials Encyclopedia

Exploring innovations in building materials, sustainable construction methods, and the evolving palette of textures and substances that define contemporary architecture.

7 stories in this sectionMost Recent First

The Hempcrete Revolution: How Carbon-Negative Building Is Reshaping Construction

From experimental curiosity to mainstream specification, hemp-lime composite materials are emerging as a transformative solution for sustainable construction.

Sophie Andersson7 min read

Materials Encyclopedia

CLT at Scale: How Cross-Laminated Timber Is Transforming the Construction Industry

From European origins to global application, CLT has matured from experimental material to mainstream structural solution in just two decades—a technical deep dive.

Sophie Andersson10 min read

Materials Encyclopedia

The Living Wall: Self-Healing Concrete and the Future of Bio-Integrated Construction

Bacterial concrete technology, developed at Delft University, is moving from laboratory to large-scale application—offering a solution to concrete's chronic durability problems.

Erik Lindqvist9 min read

Materials Encyclopedia

Through the Trees: Transparent Wood and the Future of Bio-Based Glazing

Researchers at the University of Maryland have developed transparent wood composites that offer the thermal performance of walls with the transparency of glass—a materials deep dive.

Lucas Pereira8 min read

Materials Encyclopedia

From Waste to Wall: Recycled Plastic Transforms Construction Materials

Companies including ByFusion and Concept Plastics are turning the world's plastic waste crisis into building materials that offer performance and environmental benefits.

Nadia Belkacem8 min read

Materials Encyclopedia

Cork Reimagined: From Wine Stopper to High-Performance Building Material

Portuguese cork producers, led by Amorim, are developing engineered cork composites that expand the material's architectural applications beyond insulation.

Tomás Almeida8 min read

Materials Encyclopedia

Grown, Not Built: Mycelium Materials and the Architecture of Biological Production

Companies including Ecovative and Mycelium Materials are growing building products from fungal networks, offering a radically sustainable alternative to conventional manufacturing.

Kaori Yamamoto9 min read