Earth — Building materials

The main construction material we use is Concrete reinforced with steel. We will explain in detail why we choose reinforced concrete as the primary material.

Utilizing Fabric Energy Storage

To achieve buildings that are more sustainable, we need to consider the whole life of the construction process. While building materials and construction techniques do make an impact on the sustainability of a structure, it is important to put this into context.
The environmental impacts from buildings are mainly during their use, as a result of their heating, lighting and cooling needs. Over the whole life of a building only about 10% of environmental impacts are embodied within the building materials.
It is important to keep this critical balance in mind when designing for a more sustainable built environment.
Designing with energy efficiency in mind can reduce in-use energy costs by up to 75%.
The incorporated materials in a building must have reduced CO2 emissions over theirLife Cycle Assesment but even more significant is the ability to reduce the CO2 emissions during buildings life by reducing the need for energy consumption.
By utilizing concretes Fabric Energy Storage through passive cooling and heating techniques we reduce the energy demand in less than 8Kwh/m2 for cooling and heating. In fact we achieve a far smaller digit as the dynamic simulation by TAS shows but this will be discussed in detail at the hair_dryer_project. That is the ability to heat or cool a building only by the energy consumed by an ordinary hair dryer.

Durability

-Concrete is robust, durable, with zero maintenance needs. It is liquid stone. We like concrete.

Anti seismic design

-Concrete is suitable for areas with the highest seismic loads.It is in compliance with Greek building code and aseismic design code.

Availability.-Minimizing transportation – reducing CO2 emissions

-95% of all structures in Greece are made of load bearing concrete.
In Greece as well in Cyprus, almost anywhere we can pour concrete in situ. By reducing transportation of materials we minimize our CO2 footprint and reduce construction cost.

Good value for money

-If well designed and supervised, concrete can give an excellent value for money house. Buildings with concrete increase their value over time.

Low tech Know how-high end product

The use of concrete as a building material is widely spread across Greece but not always in the right way. With the implementation of approved sustainable engineering details the results are extraordinary.