Untitled document

Name : Goh Si Qi Date : 12/3/2022
Student ID : 2021/3796/IDE3

Assignment 1 : Innovative Building Materials

Subject : Environmental Study IDS 1243​

Table of content :

I. Research materials
- Floor_________________________2-6
- Lightning ______________________7-9
- Wall ________________________10-15
- Furniture_____________________16-23
- Window treatment _______________24-27

II. Conclusion_____________________28-29
III. Reference list ____________________30

1

Floor

Grasscrete

Grasscrete is a cellular
reinforced concrete paving
system with voids created by
plastic void formers. It is an
extremely environmentally
friendly system and works to
provide an effective solution
whilst maintaining the integrity
of the surrounding area. ​

It largely uses recycled material and creates reduction in heat island
effect, efficient stormwater management. It thus offers significant
advantages over precast concrete and plastic paving systems.
Grasscrete self-drains extremely well, so well in fact that drainage
rates can be as high as 90% of that of normal grass.​It has a long life
span and low maintenance.

2

Transparent wood

As we all know, wood is not transparent in nature. This is mainly due
to the presence of lignin in the wood which absorbs light. Lignin also
imparts brownish color to the wood which we are all familiar with.

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If the lignin is carefully removed from
the wood, the material obtained is not
completely transparent and is white
in color. A noteworthy characteristic
of transparent wood is, it can
withstand stress ten times more and
strain four times more in comparison
to the normal conventional wood.

Transparent wood can be used as an encapsulating material for
preventing the leakage of the phase change material. The intensity of
its transparency changes a bit with the change in the temperature.

4

Stone dust

Stone dust can be layed very flat and
smooth to create an even and level
surface for paving. Stone dust is
usually a cheaper option than sand.

Using stone dust as filler
between paving stones can
solve the issue of weeds
growing between your paving
stones. It is also a non-porous
material, therefore it is an
advantage as it will stop water
from heavy rain seeping below
the paving stones into the base
materials. it was originally a
waste product, it is now used
for agricultural and
hardscaping purposes.

5

Super hydrophobic cement

Super-hydrophobic cement has exceptional strength and
durability and can last for up to a hundred years. It declines
future maintenance costs due to its durable performance. It is
able to absorb and reflect light, offering an alternative to street
lighting as the ground would be lit up using this luminescent
cement.

The durability of Super-hydrophobic
Cement makes it a suitable material to
solve challenges regarding sustainable
transportation, infrastructure, and safety.

6

Lightning

Solar tiles
Glass discs

Glass is sustainable because it is
100% endlessly recyclable. This
means that recycled glass is always
part of the recipe for new
containers. And in this ongoing
bottle-to-bottle system, it can take
as little as a month for a bottle to
be back on the shelves. Glass can
also be reused indefinitely without
losing quality.

Compared with ceramic materials,
glass disc insulators have a high
dielectric strength. The resistivity of the glass disc insulator is very
high, and it has a low coefficient of thermal expansion. Compared with
porcelain insulators, it has higher tensile strength. Because it is
transparent, it will not be heated in the sun like porcelain. Because of
its transparency, impurities and bubbles can be easily detected in the
glass disc insulator. It has a very long service life, because the
mechanical and electrical functions of the glass are not affected by
aging. Compared with insulators of other materials, the relative price
of glass materials is more favorable

7

Nickel silver

Nickel silver is a range of alloys of copper, nickel, and zinc which are
silvery in appearance but contain no silver. Its composition varies
from 7 to 30 percent
nickel, the alloy most
widely used being 18
percent nickel silver.

The importance of these
alloys lies in their color,
ductility, good mechanical
properties, and suitability
for working in a wide
variety of cast, rolled and
extruded, or drawn
shapes. The addition of 1–2
percent lead improves
machining properties.
Such alloys resist

corrosion better than
does brass but
tarnish slowly
through the action of
sulfur in the air.
nickel isn’t used as
such once it has been
recycled. It is more
likely to be added to
other metals to make
alloys but it is still absolutely a valuable thing to recycle.

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Recycled steel

Steel is 100 percent recyclable, which means it can be recycled into
the same material of the same quality again and again. A steel beam
can become another steel beam, or a refrigerator, car door or roof
panel. When you buy steel you are buying recycled. In addition to
being continually recyclable, steel’s durable characteristics enable
many common products to be reused.

Steel recycling is important to the circular economy as it conserves
valuable resources and diverts useful materials from going to landfills.
Millions of tons of steel are diverted from waste streams to recycling
streams every year due to steel’s magnetic properties that make it
easy to separate from solid waste.

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Wall

Breath bricks

Breathe Brick is a masonry system which is designed and constructed
to constitute and be a part of the ventilation system of buildings. It
filters polluted outdoor air so that it becomes healthy enough to bring
directly into occupied spaces. Breathe Brick does not need any energy

for its operation because it works with pressure and temperature
differentials. It is reported that the breathe brick system removes 30%
of fine particles and 100% coarse particles and hence makes the air in
the room healthier.Breathe brick unit is a structural masonry
component within which a cyclone filter is embedded.

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The concrete bricks feature a faceted surface which helps to direct
airflow into the system, and a separate cavity for inserting steel
structure. It is also affordable and environmentally friendly. Energy

efficient since it operates without electricity and makes a part of the
ventilation system. Passively filter outdoor air prior to introduction to
an indoor environment. Breathe brick systems can operate as active;
integrated into existing HVAC systems, or passive as independent
systems.

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Fibrous gypsum plaster

Fibrous gypsum plaster board is manufactured from non-combustible
gypsum and reinforced by a scientifically selected grade of fiberglass
roving. The combination of gypsum plaster with fiberglass eliminates

surface cracking and produces a stronger board with increased
fire-resistance at no extra cost. The additional strength factor allows a
thinner plaster board to be used without losing durability or
resistance to impact damage.Can enable quicker and cheaper
construction Non-toxic in use. Gypsum can regulate humidity through
moisture absorption. Lining paper is typically 90% recycled.
Recyclable - content of new plasterboard can be up to 25% recycled.

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Ferro cement

Ferrocement is a
construction material
consisting of wire meshes
and cement mortar.
Applications of ferrocement
in construction are vast due
to the low self weight, lack of
skilled workers, and no need
for framework Highly
versatile form of reinforced
concrete.
It's a type of thin reinforced
concrete construction, in
which large amounts of small diameter wire meshes uniformly

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throughout the cross section. Mesh may be metal or suitable material.
Instead of concrete Portland cement mortar is used. Strength depends
on two factors: quality of sand/cement mortar mix and quantity of
reinforcing materials used. Basic raw materials are readily available in
most countries. Fabricated into any desired shape. Low labor skill
required. Ease of construction, low weight and long lifetime. Low
construction material cost. Better resistance against earthquakes.

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Calcium silicate boards

Calcium silicate board is an asbestos-free thermal insulation product
that can withstand continuous high operating temperatures. It is a
light weight, low thermal conductive, high strength, easy to install,
reliable and durable product. Industrial grade piping and equipment
insulation is often fabricated from calcium silicate. It is a white
free-flowing powder obtained by reacting calcium oxide and silica. It
has a low bulk density and high physical water absorption.

Calcium Silicate Boards are manufactured from a mixture of Portland
cement, fine silica, special cellulose fibers and selected fillers to

impart
durability,
toughness and
moisture
resistance.
Calcium
Silicate Sheet
is then cured
by an
autoclaving
process
whereby the
ingredients
are reacted
together
under heated steam and high pressure.

Calcium Silicate Board will not rot or support fungal growth and is
unaffected by sunlight or steam. Calcium Silicate boards are designed
for use in applications, where impact resistance, fireproofing,
waterproofing, sound adsorption and heat isolation are require

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Furniture

Cellulose fiber

The cellulose fibers infiltration/filter aid applications can provide a
protective layer to filter elements as powdered cellulose, besides
promoting improved throughput and clarity. As ashless and
non-abrasive filtration, make cleanup effortless after the filtering
process without damage in pumps or valves. They effectively filter
metallic impurities and absorb up to 100% of emulsified oil and boiler
condensates. In general, cellulose fibers in filtration applications can

greatly improve filtration
performance when used
as a primary or remedial
precoat in the following
ways:
-Bridging gaps in the
filter septum and small
mechanical leaks in the
gaskets and leaf seats
-Improving the stability
of the filter-aid cake to
make it more resistant to pressure bumps and interruptions
-Creating a more uniform precoat with no cracks for more effective
filtration surface area
-Improving cake release and reducing cleaning requirements
-Preventing fine particulate bleed-through

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Precoating easily and rapidly and reducing soluble contamination
In comparison with engineered fibers, cellulose fibers have important
advantages as low density, low cost, they can be recyclable, and are
biodegradable. Due to its advantages cellulose fibers can be used as a
substituent for glass fibers in composites materials.

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Polyurethane dust

Polyurethanes play a crucial role in preserving the natural resources
of our planet. Durable polyurethane coatings ensure that the lifetime
of many products is extended well beyond what would be achieved

without the coating. Polyurethanes help to save energy sustainably.
They help architects to better insulate buildings which reduces the
consumption of gas, oil and electricity, which would otherwise be
needed to heat and cool them. Thanks to polyurethane, automotive
producers can design their vehicles more attractively and construct

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lighter frames which save on fuel consumption and emissions.
Moreover, polyurethane foams used to insulate refrigerators mean
that food is preserved longer and saves it from going to waste as well
as saving energy and protecting valuable resources, there is now
increased focus on ensuring that polyurethane products are not
simply discarded or disposed of when they reach the end of their
natural life.
Because polyurethanes are petrochemical-based polymers, it is
important that we recycle them whenever possible, so that precious
raw materials do not go to waste. There are various recycling options,
including mechanical, chemical and feedstock recycling.The
polyurethane industry is also continuously innovating to produce a
more sustainable material.

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Recycled plastic toys

Plastic is lightweight, flexible, and colorful, but it is also economical
and fast to produce. These are the main reasons why there are so
many plastic products and an increase in plastic waste.
Although a lot of research has been done into plastic packaging waste,
little is known about the impact of hard plastic.
Children grow fast. Their abilities and interests shift even faster,
especially in their first years of life. Therefore, toys are often thrown
away after a short lifespan.The HDPE plastic is cleaned and processed
into flakes, mixed with food-safe mineral-based coloring and molded
into fun 100% recycled toys! Turning old into new, these toys inspire
children to close the loop, as tangible environmental efforts are put
into action.Through a combination of manual sorting and technology,
they provide high quality designs that are both aesthetically pleasing
and long lasting, achieving a practical solution to effectively utilize
and also preserve our world’s resources.

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21

Knotted recycled fabric

Textiles have a significant impact on the environment during their
lifecycle. Large amounts of water, energy, pesticides and fertilizers
have made the global textile industry one of the most polluting and
waste producing industries in the world. Recycling textile has become
the newest addition to the materials that are recycled and redirected
from the landfill.Textiles thrown into the landfills have become a big
global problem. Natural fibers take years to decompose, whereas

man-made fibers do not decompose. Woolen
clothes do decompose, but release methane
and carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. This
contributes towards global warming. Synthetic
fabrics in the landfill release nitrous oxide
which is a powerful greenhouse gas. Besides,
toxic substances pollute groundwater and
surrounding soil.Use of recycled fabrics have
significant importance as it provides both
environmental and economic benefits. With
the re-use of recycled fabrics in
manufacturing processes or in consumption cycles, there is a strong

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decrease of CO2 emissions compared to the production of virgin
materials.
Another benefit is that the garments created from recycled polyester
can be recycled again and again with very less or no degradation of
quality, thus allowing to minimize wastage.

Eco-foam

Ecofoam is the most robust rigid polyurethane foam system on the
market today, with unmatched performance that has proven superior
in side-by-side comparisons to other systemsEcofoam offers excellent
flowability, superior adhesion, consistent density distribution, wide
processing latitudes and other benefits – all without adding costs.
Simply put, Ecofoam outperforms the competition and has an
unmatched 15-year track record.

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Window

Solar shades

Solar shades are made with a PVC or HDPE mesh. The perforations or
holes allow you to see through a solar shade while also blocking some
light or sun.

The amount you can see

through them will vary

depending on the fabric's

openness percentage. The

smaller the percentage,

the less you can see

through them and the less

light they allow in.

Solar shades can help

reduce heat in a window,

but they will not block cold. This heat reduction can help you save

money on energy costs during the hot summer months.Solar shades

can help protect

your furniture

from fading by

reducing the UV

rays coming

through your

window. Think of

them as SPF for

your furniture.

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Wooden shades

The rich and distinctive textures of natural woven wood shades add
elegance to any room. Choose between versatile and neutral tones and

designs hand-crafted from jute, woven grasses, bamboo or reeds for
an organic look.Various weave and material thicknesses allow for a
wide spectrum of light control options. Back your woven wood shades
with a lightweight fabric liner for a subtle light-filtering effect.
Alternatively, choose a blackout liner for maximum privacy and light
control, while enjoying the casual beauty of the loosely woven natural
materials.

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Woven wood shades are made from natural, renewable resources,

making them an environmentally-friendly option for your window
treatments. Enjoy the satisfaction of helping the environment with
one of our many eco-friendly and sustainable materials.

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Cellular shades

Cellular shades have light filtering and blocking abilities, they have
superior insulation, noise reduction, reduction of energy costs
throughout the house, and it hace cordless options for child safety. It
has top down, bottom up options for light and privacy management.

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Conclusion

Sustainable development is largely about people taking care of their
well-being, and also the wellbeing of our planet earth. Nature-society
imbalances can threaten economic and social stability because of
climate change, its drivers. The impacts and its policy responses will
interact with economic production and services, human settlements
and human societies, climate change is likely to be a significant factor
in the sustainable development of many areas. Simply stated, climate
change has the potential to affect many aspects of human
development, positively and negatively, depending on the geographic
location.

Five Principles for Sustainable Communities is to enhance liveability,
create opportunities for economic prosperity, foster environmental
responsibility, embrace design excellence and demonstrate visionary
leadership and strong go governance. Sustainable development
encourages us to conserve and enhance our resource base, by
gradually changing the ways in which we develop and use
technologies. We must protect our earth to provide and preserve the
environment for our future generations to come.

Sustainability is part and parcel of modern life and is the key element
to just about every industry. It’s important to consider the impact of
our actions on the planet, individually and as a collective. Being ‘green’,
or ‘eco-friendly’, plays a part in sustainability when using construction
materials nowadays.

The goal is to build something that lasts for a long time. When
choosing building materials, it’s necessary to consider the lifespan of a
material, from its origin to its disposal. A product’s sustainability and

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eco-friendly qualities can be measured from its manufacture to its
demolition. The longer the lifespan of the material adds resale value as
the benefits of high-quality, low maintenance, and exceptional
durability, a home built with sustainable materials is an increasingly
desirable asset.

In today’s modern architectural design, sustainable design is the
essence. Any systems and methods that can improve health, welfare or
safety are part of this mission. Energy savings, methods to improve
the life-cycle of a structure are high value goals for designers.
Reducing the overall life cycle costs of a building or structure are part
and parcel of this plan. The long term effect on your health is an
often-overlooked factor when considering the building materials of
your home. Sustainable building materials are free of toxic
preservatives and emit hardly any toxins, while non-sustainable
materials can emit harmful toxins such as VOC's (volatile organic
compounds) and carcinogens.
Sustainable materials have less waste than other types of materials.
Meaning less landfill waste, less energy consumption, and less impact
on the environment as a whole.

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Reference list

-https://www.sustainablejungle.com/sustainable-living/eco-friendly-sustainable-li
ghts/#:~:text=and%20Sustainability%20Practices-,Materials%3A,'re%20always%20
low%2DVOC.
-https://theconstructor.org/building/eco-friendly-building-materials/720/?amp=1
-https://www.builderonline.com/products/building-construction-materials/4-uniq
ue-sustainable-innovations-in-construction-materials_c​
-https://enviromom.com/eco-friendly-window-shades/
-https://www.architecturaldigest.com/gallery/eco-friendly-furniture-designs
-https://www.mataverdedecking.com/blog/the-importance-of-using-sustainable-b
uilding-materials
-https://www.britannica.com/technology/alloy

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