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| Startup uses million-year-old process to grow bricks | posted: 05.31.16 | from: Inc. THE STORY | Meet BioMason — a forward-thinking startup that replicates a millions-of-years-old coral formation process to create eco-friendly masonry without heat or clay that is strong enough for use in houses, commercial buildings and other structures. THE BRIEF | While working for an architectural firm in 2005, BioMason co-founder and CEO Ginger Krieg Dosier was tasked with looking into green alternatives for building materials. When it came to brick and masonry, and her searches came up empty, she began consulting with scientists and microbiologists to imagine a process of brick-making by biochemistry that could do in days what geological processes have taken millennia to accomplish... all without releasing massive amounts of carbon into the atmosphere like traditional brick-making in kilns. To make each brick, sand is packed into rectangular molds, which are then inoculated with bacteria that wrap themselves around the grains of sand. With each bacteria-covered grain of sand acting as a nucleus, calcium carbonate crystals begin to form around it. An irrigation system feeds the bricks nutrient-rich water to facilitate the process. The crystals grow larger and larger, filling in the gaps between the grains of sand. The hard natural material that holds the various rocks together is often referred to as "biological cement." After three to five days, the bricks are ready for use. read more >> THE CORE | It's an advanced technique, but the blueprint has been right under our noses forever. As builders and homeowners look to nature for lessons in building resiliency, we'll begin to see biomimicry emerging more in the design of construction materials and products, and informing how we design buildings of the future. |
 How a building shakes during an earthquake, visualizedposted: 05.23.16 | from: Popular Mechanics The US Geological Survey was able to model how an Alaskan building shook during a 7.1-magnitude earthquake in January. read more >> |
 Obstalces to acceptance: steel framing in residential constructionposted: 05.18.16 | from: Metal Construction News The steel framing industry has long been interested in capturing more of the residential construction market. So far, it has made solid in-roads in multi-family and minor conquests in custom home and vacation home markets, but the granddaddy of the residential market — the single-family, tract-built home — has remained elusive. read more >> |
 The importance of exterior wall fire testing and certificationposted: 05.17.16 | from: Fire Protection Engineering Magazine Public safety has been increasingly scrutinized by the media, the public and government agencies. The building and construction industry is no exception. The efficacy of automatic fire sprinklers inside of a building — although virtually indisputable for interior fire control — may have varying effect on fires spreading vertically outside the building. read more >> |
 Can timber skyscrapers really help save the planet?posted: 05.18.16 | from: Fast Company Politicians, architects, and scientists are increasingly promoting timber as an Earth-saving material, but not everyone is in agreement. read more >> |
| Three misconceptions about energy modeling posted: 05.31.16 | from: Architect Building performance is becoming a greater priority, and the tools to predict it are becoming more accessible. So why isn't energy modeling used in every project? read more >> |
| New DOE program will help make going solar faster, cheaper posted: 06.07.16 | from: Home Innovation Research Labs Communities are invited to receive technical assistance to help spur solar market growth and reduce related costs. read more >> |
| U.S. solar job growth outpaces traditional energy sector employment posted: 05.26.16 | from: International Renewable Energy Agency U.S. renewable energy employment rose 6 percent in the U.S. during 2015, largely surpassing job growth in traditional energy sectors such as oil and gas extraction and coal mining. read more >> |
| Builders call for end to regulatory overreach during national homeownership month posted: 06.01.16 | from: National Association of Home Builders As the National Association of Home Builders celebrates National Homeownership Month in June, builders continue to demand affordable housing for all Americans, calling for sensible reforms to burdensome regulations that increase the cost of housing. read more >> |