Sustainable materials in building and architecture

Abstract

Most buildings up to the early nineteenth century, with the notable exception of prestigious public buildings, were constructed from easily available local materials. In the nineteenth century, developments in transport modes enabled the movement of heavy and bulky materials and opened up the era of prefabricated elements and product catalogues. At the same time, new materials were invented. Notwithstanding this, timber and timber-derived products, masonry units of clay and cement, concrete, steel, aluminium and glass remained and still remain the dominant materials used in construction. Recent developments in the twentieth century have included plastics in a number of forms, with the most recent material development including biocomposites for construction. Construction remains one of the most intensive material consumers: 40% of materials manufactured end up in buildings. Material demand is still dominated by the building sector, especially with respect to cement and fired clay.