Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5
4.1
Introduction to Part 4: Substitution with Sustainable Alternatives
Part 4 of the course focuses on substitution, the replacement of high-impact materials with sustainable alternatives, and explores a wide range of nature-based, low-impact, and bio-based solutions.
Week 7 introduces substitution strategies across three material groups. We begin by examining textiles and insulation, featuring an investigation of organic cotton and its impact on farmers, soils, and water resources, alongside the use of hemp and wool as bio-based insulation alternatives. Next, we delve into the innovative uses of fungi, covering commercial mushroom start-ups creating sustainable materials, advanced mushroom computing inspired by the ‘Wood Wide Web’, and the process of mycoremediation for cleaning up polluted environments. The week’s last section looks at a marine resource, focusing on biodegradable algae-based substitutions for plastics, turning invasive Sargassum seaweed into Sargoblocks used for affordable housing, and the application of kelp as a natural fertilizer using Indigenous knowledge and practices. The week finishes with the End of the Week Assignment focused on dyeing with natural materials.
Week 8 explores natural building and material solutions. Section 4 focuses on structural materials such as the versatility of Bamboo, the thermal efficiency of Straw Bales, and the ecological benefits of Grass Roofs. Section 5 examines wood-based innovations, including advanced materials like Bioplastics, practical small-scale hydropower using a wooden water wheel, and the use of Biochar for soil improvement. Section 6 shifts to earth-based materials and infrastructure, including traditional and modern applications of Rammed Earth, Adobe solutions, and the urban water management benefits of Porous Asphalt. The week concludes with the second End of the Week Assignment.
© Daniel Mossberg, CEMUS, Uppsala University and Sonali Phadke, studio Alternatives and Stephanie Foote