As architects look for ways to build sustainable buildings, Sana’a, an old but unique mud city in Yemen, has brought on a good concept of what can become our future sustainable and eco-friendly architectures. It is known as one of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
Mud is an eco-friendlier material for building houses than concrete. According to BBC Culture, “Building with concrete accounts for around 7% of global CO2 emissions.” The article also states that a staggering 4 billion tons of cement is produced every year. Mud is a perfect substitute for concrete since it is completely able to be recycled. Building with recyclable material is a great step forward to reducing the CO2 emissions that are causing global warming.
Other than being such an environmentally friendly building material, mud-houses are naturally insulated since they have high thermal mass. So, it is never too hot or too cold inside of a mud house. Since the houses are naturally air conditioned, that also means that there is no need for air conditioners. If there are more mud houses, then that reduces a lot of greenhouse gas emissions since air conditioners require electricity to run. According to BBC Culture, air conditioning units “consume large amounts of electricity and contain refrigerants that are potent greenhouse gas emissions.”
Mud is also really easy to use for building. As stated in BBC Culture, Anna Heringer, an architect who works with natural materials, says, “It actually gets better the more you use it. It’s a bit like a dough. As you work with it, the material changes and responds.”
Good news is that “major producers from across the globe have come together to affirm their commitment to net zero concrete by 2050,” according to gccassociation.org. This way, the world can become a healthier and more sustainable environment.
Mud is an eco-friendlier material for building houses than concrete. According to BBC Culture, “Building with concrete accounts for around 7% of global CO2 emissions.” The article also states that a staggering 4 billion tons of cement is produced every year. Mud is a perfect substitute for concrete since it is completely able to be recycled. Building with recyclable material is a great step forward to reducing the CO2 emissions that are causing global warming.
Other than being such an environmentally friendly building material, mud-houses are naturally insulated since they have high thermal mass. So, it is never too hot or too cold inside of a mud house. Since the houses are naturally air conditioned, that also means that there is no need for air conditioners. If there are more mud houses, then that reduces a lot of greenhouse gas emissions since air conditioners require electricity to run. According to BBC Culture, air conditioning units “consume large amounts of electricity and contain refrigerants that are potent greenhouse gas emissions.”
Mud is also really easy to use for building. As stated in BBC Culture, Anna Heringer, an architect who works with natural materials, says, “It actually gets better the more you use it. It’s a bit like a dough. As you work with it, the material changes and responds.”
Good news is that “major producers from across the globe have come together to affirm their commitment to net zero concrete by 2050,” according to gccassociation.org. This way, the world can become a healthier and more sustainable environment.
