Traditional building materials have a place in sustainable architecture if used in the right way. Appropriate renovation and innovative use of these materials can cost little or nothing extra compared to modern techniques.
Traditional materials are those that have been in common use for a long time in a particular locality, region or nation. Flint, for instance, is a traditional material in Kent but not in Yorkshire because there are no deposits of flint in that county.
Mud Bricks
Mud brick, dried in the sun, was one of the first building materials and still provides a robust option for those without access to more expensive timber or concrete. In fact, mud brick buildings are a staple for construction in arid regions where wood is scarce.
Mud brick building techniques range from primitive to Pinterest-worthy. They can be used to construct a wide variety of buildings from single-room dwellings with thatched roofs to multistory structures.
Mud brick is made by mixing topsoil and water to create a thick mud mixture. Straw, a grass or even pine needles are then added to inhibit crumbling and provide tensile strength. The mixture is then kneaded daily for four days and then left to ferment (knead again on the day you plan to use the mud). This process makes the brick three times stronger.
Fired Bricks
Fired bricks are more durable than mud ones and are used in a wider range of construction projects. These bricks are made from a combination of clay and sand and are fired in a kiln to make them hard. They can be solid, perforated or cellular. They can also be ‘frogged’, meaning they have indentations on one of the longer faces or ‘flued’, which means they are hollow.
Firebricks are made from a special type of clay that has refractory properties. This means that they can withstand much higher heat than ordinary bricks.
They may be molded from soft or dry mud and can be either insulating fire brick or dense fire brick. Insulating bricks are pale yellow and light in weight, whereas dense fire bricks are orange tan.
Stone
Stone is one of the oldest traditional construction materials. It was used for building primitive huts by hunter-gatherers as far back as 23,000 cal BP. Archaeological remains of such structures with walls made of stone, wattle and daub and covered with thatch or turf have been well preserved.
In modern times, stone is still used for constructing domestic huts and high-status buildings in rural settings. However, renovation and innovative use of these materials to meet higher building standards can make them relevant in a wider range of urban and peri-urban environments.
Bergmeisterwolf Architekten recently renovated an old farmhouse located in a village near Sterzing, Italy and combined several traditional materials to design living spaces, a sauna and a garage as well as a henhouse. The architects utilized traditional stone in the renovation process and incorporated it with glass, wood and shingles to achieve a rustic yet modern farmstead.
Timber
Timber is a natural building material that has many properties that make it desirable for construction. It’s durable, aesthetically pleasing and offers thermal protection. Additionally, it’s relatively inexpensive and eco-friendly.
Timber can be used in different forms for construction purposes. It can refer to raw wood from trees in the forest or it can be used as part of a frame (known as timber-frame construction). Timber can also refer to wood that’s been processed, which is often referred to as lumber.
Lumber is typically sawn and seasoned to create a consistent size. It’s used for home construction and in furniture making. It also serves as a fuel source. There are many different types of wood that can be used as timber, including quarter sawn and rift sawn lumber.
Cement
Cement has been in use since at least 12,000 years ago. Initially used to prepare lime for mortar, it evolved into concrete and other products over the millennia.
Stone is an excellent loadbearing building material. It is also a beautiful facing material for facades and interiors and can be integrated with modern materials for aesthetic or planning reasons.
A traditional building’s breathable construction allows moisture to move freely throughout the structure, avoiding problems such as dampness and dry rot. This can save energy by maintaining a good air circulation in the home and by reducing heating costs.
A range of technologies will help reach carbon neutrality and improve the sustainability of cement production. McKinsey has identified seven scientific pathways that will accelerate the change required:
Glass
Glass is a hard, transparent, and brittle material used in buildings, windows, lenses, mirrors, and telecommunication for data transfer. This versatile material is highly relevant in modern building design.
When made properly, glass is very durable and energy efficient. It can help regulate a building’s temperature and let in natural light.
Glass is made by heating a mixture of raw materials to the point that they melt into a liquid, then cooling them quickly enough to prevent them from solidifying into a regular crystalline structure. This process is called annealing. It is also what makes glass so tough, able to withstand extreme conditions for centuries.
Plaster
Plaster is experiencing a dramatic resurgence as a building material. It is a natural and sustainable material that is breathable, free of chemicals and VOCs, and adds depth and luminosity to walls.
Traditional plasters use clay and sand or gypsum and plant fibers for tensile strength over wood lath. Lime plaster is often tinted and sanded to achieve a range of earthen tones. A tradition of integrally colored lime putty, inherited from the Romans, is known as marmorino.
Historically, plaster was used as a medium of artistic expression and various techniques were developed to create unique finishes. These include shikkui in Japan, Tadelakt in Morocco and Enjarre in Mexico.