Lecture B Environmental and Natural Building Materials
Why do we use natural materials? Low energy content Energy content of some materials Aluminum70,000kW.hr / ton Plastic25,000 Steel15,000 Cement2,000 Clay brick (burned) Cement brick Stone (cut)150 Stone (rough)100 Mud brick30 Wood30-100
Why do we use natural materials? continued safe and hygienic: –Asbestos corregateg sheets vs. wood shingls or fiber glass Renewable or practically non depletable –Wood, steel and Plastic Recyclable or Nature Absorbable –Mud brick, wood roofs, vs cement bricks and concrete roofs. Interlocking bricks with white mortar???
Earth Architectur e
Why do we use natural materials? ( continued) Durable and efficient: –marble and Granite vs ceramic or mosaic tiles Sensual comfort: –Warmth (air content and thermal capacity) Emotional comfort: – a link with nature, past memories … Aeasthetic values : –Diversity, rhythm,.. –Sustainable value, not not lost as fast as fashion materials. does not threat ecosystem nor threatened species
How deep is it natural? Massive wood Furniture Veneered, laminated (plywood), composed (Counter) Painted wood steel or plastic furniture Textiles –Cotton, wool, silk vs. Nylon and senthetic
How deep is it natural? Massive
How deep is it natural? Massive
How deep is it natural? Massive
How deep is it natural? Veneered
How deep is it natural? Painted
How deep is it natural? Plastic
How deep is it natural? steel
Ethics of Nature and natural Materials How many creatures did you kill to get this material? Is it accepted to kill an Animal? –Yes, for food! and get any by-products. –No, for fun! Better Shoot with a camera –Yes, if Nature will not suffer because of killing the Animal –No, if biodeversity is threatened, or any negative Environmental Impact is expected. –No if the role of the Animal in the ecosystem is much larger than the benefit of the material
Ethics of Nature and natural Materials contiued It is fine to use caw leather, but not mink or fox fur It is fine to use sea shells (specially thrown at the shore) as inlayes in decoration, but not ethical to use Ivory
Assignments: design a report cover from Natural Materials: –Wood, leather, rough Natural textiles, papyrus, bound sticks ….. The Cover should express the respect of nature both in Material and design write a brief essay about the value and benefit of natural materials in Architecture. support your essay with illustrated examples