When we think of sustainable building, reducing carbon emissions often takes centre stage. But, the environmental impact of materials is only part of the story. The buildings we live and work in also shape our health and well-being. Air quality, moisture levels, light and comfort all impact our daily lives more than we think. Studies suggest that indoor concentrations of air pollutants from things such as home products and poor ventilation are increasing and could be causing significant health issues such as respiratory diseases, heart disease and cognitive deficits.
Meanwhile, the building sector is one of the largest consumers of energy in Europe. Could the future of construction involve materials that address both climate and health challenges, and can the industry adapt quickly enough to make these innovations the norm fast enough for Europe to make good on its climate commitments?
Researchers at ETH Zurich believe so. They’ve developed a biocomposite material that combines clay with waste fibres to create a building component that’s not only eco-friendly but also improves indoor air quality. The building structure’s porous material naturally regulates humidity by absorbing moisture when levels are high. It then releases the moisture when humidity levels are too low, eliminating the need for energy-intensive climate control systems and reducing the risk of mould—a common problem in many more modern, airtight buildings.
A biocomposite material shifting towards circular design
Beyond improving indoor environments, this material embraces a circular approach. It’s designed to be easily disassembled and reused, ensuring that components can be repurposed rather than discarded at the end of their lifecycle. This marks a significant departure from traditional construction practices, which are estimated to reach 2.2 billion tons globally by 2025.
Magda Posani is Assistant Professor of Building Physics at Aalto University and led the investigation into the hygroscopic properties of the material at ETH Zurich. She highlighted the potential impact of such innovations:
“We were able to prove with numerical simulations that the building elements can significantly reduce the humidity in heavily used interior spaces.”
Can sustainable materials keep pace with growing demand?
While innovations like this biocomposite material are promising, they raise questions about scalability and adoption. Construction is a fast-moving industry, and integrating new materials often requires overcoming cost barriers, technical challenges and regulatory hurdles. At RESET, we’ve previously written about 3D printing projects promising a sustainable dimension to modern life. However, just like many construction projects themselves, progress has been slow. We argue that what’s needed is change at a policy level.
Sustainability in construction isn’t just about creating better materials. It’s about changing the systems that support them—shifting to policies that prioritise environmental and human health over short-term profits.
There have been some foundations laid in this area. In 2020, The European Commission adopted the new circular economy action plan (CEAP) which targeted how products are designed in order to promote circular economy processes, ensuring “waste is prevented and the resources used are kept in the EU economy for as long as possible.”
As cities expand and the demand for housing grows, solutions like biocomposite materials offer a glimpse into a future where buildings are designed to support both the planet and the people who live on it.
