INSPIRATION
As the construction industry shifts to modular and green approaches, advanced materials are complementing the new ways of construction. Many innovative and sustainable materials are replacing the older ones, such as 3D printed concrete and basalt. Materials made from living organisms are gaining in popularity with self-healing concrete that uses bacteria.Moreover, sustainable materials such as mycelium composites, bioplastics, and biofoam also form a part of this construction industry trend. The next category of innovative materials includes aerogel, graphene, spider silk, carbon composites,
hydroceramics, and nanomaterials. These materials are lighter and have a higher water holding capacity. Advanced wooden and aluminum materials such as bamboo, cross-laminated timber, transparent woods, and aluminum foam have higher strength and biodegradability. Startups are researching novel
sustainable materials that are durable, low-maintenance, and energy-efficient.
Spanish startup Graphenglass develops technologies to insert graphene inside known materials or make graphenebased new materials, used in the construction industry. The startup develops graphene-based architectural products that include solar protection, component assembly, and wind facades. Graphenglass is a compact graphene with properties such as surface hydrophobicity, flame-retardant, color consistency for outdoor exposition, mechanical strength, or stopping microorganisms from spreading. These features make it suitable for use in extreme environments. The solution benefits builders and owners, as well as the environment, by improving the energy efficiency of buildings.
New Zealand-based startup N.Z Future Forest Products provides modular timber-based solutions for the construction industry. The startup engineers CLT cross-laminated timber (CLT) and glued laminated timber (GLT) which are useful in modular construction. The wooden alternatives have enhanced properties like durability, strength, stability, seismic resilience, thermal performance, fire resistance, moisture
management, vapor diffusion, and design flexibility. N.Z Future Forest Products aims to replace the use of carbon-intensive concrete and steel with environment-friendly wooden materials.
