Innovative materials for construction and design
They are innovative and ingenious solutions that arise from continuous technological research and which are made with materials previously unimaginable: brand-new materials that have found their place in the building industry and in architectural design. What characterizes them is above all their attention to sustainability and the environment.
What are the new materials?
Studies conducted in recent years, both at the academic and industrial levels, have contributed to the production of eco-sustainable building materials that are the future of construction and architecture. They are the answer to some major issues related to production impact and energy savings, from a green and environmental perspective.
Some of them are particularly ambitious and revolutionary:
- Carbon concrete: carbon fibres are used to provide reinforcement to traditional concrete. They do not rust, unlike reinforced concrete, and therefore are more resistant to degradation. Furthermore, they make buildings lighter because the concrete layer can be thinner but no less durable.
- Composite metal foams: they are made of porous metal. The pores, in turn, are filled with gas and contribute to reducing the weight of the construction material. They provide greater resistance to fires.
- Self-healing hydrogel: it absorbs carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and incorporate it into its structure, becoming increasingly resistant. They can be used in green building with the intention of managing carbon dioxide emissions, while also serving as building coatings.
- Transparent aluminium: it is obtained by bombarding the material with X-rays and retains considerable strength, to the point that it can be considered not only for photovoltaic cell installations but also for the construction of windows as a structural element.
Among the innovative construction materials, there is also sheep’s wool, which can thermally insulate environments and absorb air pollutants. It is safe for the environment and people because it is easily recyclable and fire-resistant.
What are the most sustainable materials?
While some ideas are still in the experimental phase, others have already become tangible.
For example, load-bearing straw panels, created through the drying of this material. What is achieved is an economical and eco-friendly construction solution. They are composed of 99.4% locally recycled materials such as straw and wood.
Even mushrooms can become real sustainable building materials. They act as insulation when combined with wooden walls, growing and developing within them to create a hermetic structure. They contribute to energy savings and thermal-hygrometric well-being.
Then there are cellulose fibre panels, which reduce carbon dioxide emissions, and bricks made with bacteria, which limit production costs.
The sustainability of expanded metal
Expanded metal can be included among the most innovative and sustainable materials for construction and design. Its eco-friendliness primarily stems from its manufacturing process.
It is obtained through the stretching of the raw material, which allows for a greater final product quantity from an initial reduced amount. The transformation process occurs at low temperatures and without welding, resulting in minimal waste and high recyclability.
From production to application, expanded metal is highly valued in architecture and design because it offers cost and material savings, as well as functionality.
It reduces heat loss due to its transparency, which simultaneously provides added decorative and aesthetic value. It ensures both sunlight penetration and reduced heating costs.
Not limited to external structures, expanded metal is also highly regarded for interior furnishings. It generates movement, three-dimensionality and optical illusion. It comes in various shapes and colours, with different geometric patterns to meet individual design needs and various architectural aspects.
It retains its quality over time, thanks to sophisticated anodization and painting techniques for the fabrication of structures that offer a wide range of colour options and finishes. This way, it maintains all its distinguishing features, resisting wear and corrosion from external agents.
Innovative materials for interior design
Aluminium is one of the main materials used in producing expanded metal. It is easily recyclable and can be reclaimed from many common-use objects. Despite its long-standing tradition, aluminium meets the sustainability demands of the interior design world, creating pieces with a modern and industrial flair.
On par with aluminium, cork is also an innovative element in this context. On one hand, its easy sourcing makes it sustainable; on the other hand, new processing methods enhance its aesthetic appeal, adding warmth to an interior environment.
