Zostera Marina: Reusing History for a Sustainable Future: An investigation of the possible implementation of eelgrass in the building industry.

Hansen, Anne-Mette Rosenkilde

4. term

Architecture, Master

2024

2024-05-30

123 pages

As the climate changes continuously become more evident, it is clear that action is necessary. With the building industry being one of the big contributors to the global energy consumption and CO2 emissions, the industry is an important parameter in the reduction of the global energy consumption and CO2 emissions. This thesis therefore investigates the use of eelgrass as a biobased building material. The report determines advantages and disadvantages of eelgrass as a building material, based on analysis of historic and current use, of material properties, and by comparing the existing eelgrass products with similar building products. The possible utilisations of eelgrass as a building material are showcased by presenting examples of the material applied in renovations as well as in new build. For the new build example, a small exhibition building showcasing and raising awareness of eelgrass is designed. Through the works of the thesis, it is established that eelgrass products have properties similar to or even better than existing biobased and mineral materials. On some parameters the eelgrass materials perform better than both biobased and conventional building materials. The eelgrass performs well on parameters such as thermal- and acoustic insulation, and additionally has a low Global Warming Potential. The biggest challenge of upscaling the use of eelgrass in the building industry is the lack of resource, due partly to the oxygen depletion of the Danish waters.

Ålegræs ; Bæredygtigt byggeri ; Biobaserede materialer ; Renovering ; Exhibition ; Embodied Carbon ; Biobased materials ; Eelgrass ; Sustainable building design

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