On-going war results in millions of tons of construction waste due to the destruction of thousands of civil and social infrastructures. Instead of allowing this debris to go to landfills, waste can be recycled into new building materials, also saving costs. To prevent demolition, adaptive reuse offers a solution to rebuild buildings using existing structures. Working with local waste and biobased materials sourced from local industries offers low carbon material solutions. HempLime is one solution which can be adopted for healthier wall systems and insulation. Hemp and lime absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, have excellent acoustic properties and naturally regulate humidity and heat. 

Oceans offer a variety of rapidly renewable plant resources that can deliver a petroleum-free future for design. Plants native to bodies of water, such as eelgrass, algae, and seaweed, represent an exciting frontier in material science as manufacturers discover their potential to replace harmful materials with new, healthy alternatives. Algae have the advantage of not requiring arable land, which preserves essential land for food production. As they grow, algae use photosynthesis and absorb carbon dioxide, offering environmental benefits. Seaweed, also known as kelp or macroalgae, provides support for other marine life and plays a role in reducing ocean acidification. There is potential for ingredients from the sea to make products that offer positive health benefits for end-users and be fully biodegradable at the end-of-life stage.

Cork is the bark from the oak tree, Quercus suber. Typically found in Portugal, it is harvested every 9 years without causing harm to the living tree. While most commonly associated with wine stoppers, cork has a wide variety of applications. It is used as a building material in insulation, wall coverings, furniture, and resilient flooring, and other consumer products. Its composition includes suberin, lignin, and cellulose making cork naturally fire resistant, provides excellent insulation and is fully biodegradable. Most recently, cork is finding new life as a recycled material which can be used in a myriad of products.

>> RESTORATION & RESILIENCE: REBUILDING UKRAINE on Monday, March 3rd, 6:30-8:00pm: In conversation with sustainable construction expert Victoria Caubet, we will discuss rebuilding war-damaged infrastructure and communities in Ukraine as well as the work of Neo-Eco Ukraine to recycle construction waste. Alison Mears will present an overview of a senior architecture studio exploring regenerative, adaptive reuse. On Zoom and in person at Wollman Wall, 66 West 12th Street, NY.  

>>MARINE MATERIALS: DESIGNING THE FUTURE WITH THE OCEAN on Tuesday, March 25th, 12:00-1:30pm: This Lunch + Learn brings together manufacturing leaders developing biobased materials from aquatic plants in conversation with a marine biology expert. On Zoom. 

>> FROM FIELD TO FORM: CORK on Monday, April 28th, 6:30-8:00pm: This in-person event explores the potential of cork as a healthier sustainable building material and brings together a farmer, manufacturer, architect and recycler of cork to discuss its regenerative harvesting process and applications for toxic-free products and buildings. Hosted in collaboration with the Architectural League of NY. In person at Wollman Hall, 66 West 12th Street, NY. 

All events are open to the public. We hope you join us!