THE BIOBASED HOUSE is a pilot project by EEN TIL EEN and a first of its kind – a modern housing concept based on new digital technology and the application of high quality bio-based materials. Waste from the agricultural industry, are today being processed into materials that can replace wood products such as plywood and OSB. The Bio-based House aims to be a showcase of the use and application of these new products in a complete and full functional home solution for the 21st century modern family. Exhibited at a prime location of the permanent Building EXPO ‘BYGGE-CENTRUM’ in Middelfart Denmark, the house will be demonstrating the frontier of bio-based building technology to an annual of 120.000 visitors. During the project development, we will research into the performance and methods of the application of these new materials consisting of for example straw, rice, reed, hemp, flax, sea grass etc. The Danish Technological Institute are part of the project team and during the development they will conduct extensive tests regarding building performance. The overall ambition of the project is to develop a modern housing concept, inspired by the Cradle to Cradle philosophy, using waste as a resource and thereby offering a solution to the inherent climate challenges. By combining state-of-the-art digital manufacturing technology with ‘upcycled’ agricultural bi-products, we will demonstrate how to build affordable, healthy and sustainable homes designed to be an integral part of a circular economy and resource model.
THE MATERIALS OF THE HOUSE shall originate from agricultural bi-products and demonstrate how local waste resources can be turned into valuable building components. Due to the many advantages and abundance of straw, the main material for the construction of the houses will be of straw pressed into high strength agri-fibre boards with a no-formaldehyde glue. Using EEN TIL EEN´s digital manufacturing technique, these boards will be transformed into intelligent and integrated building modules for easy installation and future re-use. For insulation, we are looking at different natural bi-products such as seaweed, straw wool, hemp and flax fibers etc. All materials related with a bi-product which, when turned into building products, will be detached from current method of burning fibers for energy and instead store carbon in our building mass. A common denominator for these bio-based materials are natural fire retardant and anti-mold properties combined with hygroscopic abilities. This provides the basics of a super healthy and anti-allergenic living environment without the presence of petro-chemical toxins and formaldehyde. During the project development we will also be looking at ‘bio-foam’ a vegetable-based substitute for Polyurethane products with an innovative window manufacturer.
THE PRODUCTION OF THE HOUSE will be based on the BUILDR 360 building concept – an innovative building method and ‘print a house’ technology. Using digital simulation and manufacturing software and a CNC machine we ‘print’ high precision building components from any sheet material. A process that can produce light weight buildings on-site, with local materials, which are easy to assemble and with no waste. The modular and digital building approach gives the client endless possibilities in designing a unique, sustainable and affordable house.
• BIO-BASED MATERIALS
The bio-based house will demonstrate modern and high end use of building components of agricultural bi-products, which are designed within the biological circuit. The biological circuit consists of materials then can be returned safely to Mother Nature. This is a new and potential high impact type of ‘geo-engineering’ or ‘carbon handling’, where the goal is to get carbon safely stored and when time comes returned to the earth instead of the atmosphere. All materials will be potentially Cradle-to-Cradle certifiable and free of VOC’s and formaldehyde.
• CLOSED LOOP MATERIAL CIRCUITS
To design products for closed materials circuits demands new production technology, product innovation and material understanding. EEN TIL EEN have developed a manu-facturing process where houses are assembled of mono-material ‘building blocks’, which ensures a both efficient and flexible building system with minimal waste. The system allows for rapid production, assembly and furthermore disassembly. It is highly adaptable and thereby making upgrading and adding modules to future houses or removing modules less complicated and pricey.
• HEALTHY INDOOR CLIMATE
The natural and hygroscopic nature of bio-based materials allows for a breathing construction, which lets moisture travel throughout the building. This creates a unique feel and healthy interior climate. It is the goal of this project to demonstrate, test and gather information on the indoor air quality and prove that building with bio-based materials gives a healthier living environment with less toxins and volatile organic compounds. Wireless sensors will be installed throughout the building and will be continuously monitoring the indoor environment and supply the necessary documentation for display.
• GREEN ECONOMY
The bio-based house aims to stimulate and develop green and circular economy with a unique building solution made from processed bi-products from the agricultural industry. Unused resources are available in many regions often in combination with a shortage of houses and lack of technology to produce them. This project aims to develop and provide an economical and locally sustainable solution to this global challenge and ultimately the enhancement of human life.
• PROJECT PARTNERS
GXN, NCC CONSTRUCTION, DANISH TECHNOLOGICAL INSTIUTE, DELOITTE, AB CLAUSEN
FUNDED BY THE DANISH MINISTRY OF THE ENVIRONMENTS