Top 6 ecological solutions in architecture and design for 2021

/ Architecture /

Global changes that have a negative impact on the state of the environment continue to force us to look for effective ways to solve environmental problems thanks to developments in architecture and design. 

PRAGMATIKA.MEDIA has prepared a selection of the best solutions to protect the planet from harmful human activities.

 

A town of cocoa beans

In the center of the town there are pillars covered with waste from cocoa beans. Image: Valentino Gareri Atelier
It will have a wide network of bicycle paths and pedestrian boulevards. Image: Valentino Gareri Atelier
There is a picturesque view of the sea. Image: Valentino Gareri Atelier
The town is predicted to be very popular among tourists. Image: Valentino Gareri Atelier

The Valentino Gareri Atelier company designed a town made of cocoa bean waste in Manaba (Ecuador). Residues from chocolate production are planned to be reused as material for 3D printing parts of houses. 

The project is called a kind of "Silicon Valley" for innovators in the field of circular economy. It gives impetus to the creation of new architectural objects from ecological materials.

 

Columnar trees with mycelium

The column has a ribbed wave structure that resembles a tree trunk. Photo: dezeen.com/

The London company Blast Studio has developed a method of 3D printing with living mycelium and used it to form a two-meter column tree from which you can collect mushrooms. 

The height of the column is more than two meters. Photo: dezeen.com/

The mycelium will be mixed with recycled paper cups, which will create optimal conditions for the germination of edible mushrooms. After that, the trunk will be dried and it will turn into a full-fledged architectural element with natural insulating and fireproof properties.

Mushrooms can grow on the surface of the structure. Photo: dezeen.com/

Ecological technology will allow to create architectural objects by processing waste and at the same time provide people with food. If the column is damaged or no longer needed, it can be reworked and reprinted.

 

Showcase made of recycled bottles 

Bulgari Shanghai is located in one of the city's popular shopping centers. Photo: dezeen.com/
The cornices are reminiscent of Bulgari's first store in Rome. Photo: dezeen.com/

Illuminated from the inside, the polished glass of the Bvlgari showcase gives passers-by the feeling that it is made of precious jade. However, only pressed glass bottles from champagne, wine, beer and other alcohol served as the material for stained glass. 

At night, the showcase is illuminated to give it a jade glow. Photo: dezeen.com/

According to the designers and architects of the authors of the MRDV project, with their idea for a luxury brand, they wanted to show that environmentally friendly materials can also look expensive and luxurious. 

 

Plastic from chewing gum

Wheels made of recycled chewing gum will look like this. Photo: dezeen.com/

French student designers Hugo Mopety and Vivian Fischer gave a second life to used chewing gum. They developed the technology to turn it into colored plastic skateboard wheels. After the wheels wear out, the chewing gum can be crushed and melted down again to create new ones, thus creating a closed loop system.

 

Eco-concrete from snail shells 

The bioconcrete tile is handmade by Kock and Moracia. Photo: dezeen.com/
The material can imitate the natural texture of the stone. Photo: dezeen.com/
Adding pieces of raw sedum root creates a marbled texture. Photo: dezeen.com/

Graduates of the Central College of Art and Design named after St. Martin's Brigitte Kok and Irene Roca Moratsia invented the formula for an ecologically clean building material. Its properties are very similar to ordinary concrete. Its bio-version will be produced from Japanese woodworm and American signal crayfish shells. 

The ash of aphids will be used as binders, and crushed crayfish shells will be used as a filler instead of traditional crushed stone and sand. 

 

Pastilla bags

Each of these bags has a unique texture created by adding fine cellulose fibers. Photo: dezeen.com/
Each of these bags has a unique texture created by adding fine cellulose fibers. Photo: dezeen.com/

Berlin-based design students Lobke Beckfeld and Johanna Hechemeyer-Kürten have developed "temporary handbags" called Sonnet155, made from fruit skins. The translucent bag can be dissolved in water and used as plant fertilizer when it is no longer needed.

 

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