Being green and eco-friendly is the latest trend in architecture and the best one in our opinion. We’ve been using concrete for too long and we’re starting to forget that there are alternatives. Today we’re exploring those alternatives and checking out existing projects that make use of green building materials.

Rammed earth

In case you’re not familiar with this concept, rammed earth has been around for thousands of years and while some of the techniques and details might have changed over time, the base principles remain the same. Rammed earth walls feel pretty similar to concrete ones and are also sturdy. The Great Wall of WA is the longest rammed earth wall in Australia, measuring 230 meters in total and enclosing 12 residences. The wall goes along the edge of a sand dune and was created to provide accommodation for a cattle station. The residences themselves have rammed earth facades and look absolutely amazing. This was a project by Luigi Rosselli Architects.

Straw bales

Straw bales have also been used for a very long time, just like rammed earth walls. They’re an alternative to materials such as concrete, wood, stone and others. Straw bales are used to create the walls inside of a frame and they can provide great insulation. Furthermore, this is a sustainable and affordable resource. This right here is a straw bale house built to replace an old shed. It’s small but comfortable and energy-efficient thanks to its insulation. Check out its full story on diyhousebuilding.

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