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Natural materials usually contain little to no volatile organic compounds (VOCs)—chemical substances emitted by synthetic materials such as paints, adhesives, and manufactured finishes. VOCs can diminish indoor air quality, leading to headaches, respiratory irritation, and long-term health issues. Lime plaster, untreated timber, and hemp are naturally free of these toxins, promoting a cleaner and healthier indoor environment, where natural textures and finishes enhance the calming effects of biophilic design.
Many natural materials demand less energy for extraction, processing, and transportation compared to their industrial equivalents. For instance, straw panels and hempcrete are made using agricultural byproducts, circumventing the resource-intensive manufacturing processes tied to steel, concrete, and synthetic insulation. By selecting these materials, designers can substantially lessen a building’s embodied carbon footprint while strengthening the connection between occupants and their environment.
Buildings constructed with natural materials often experience exceptional life cycle performance. Untreated macrocarpa timber and charred timber, for example, are durable and naturally resistant to pests, lowering maintenance requirements over time. These materials can decompose back into the earth at the end of their lifespan, leaving no harmful residues.
Materials such as straw panels, hempcrete, and lime plaster excel at regulating indoor temperatures and humidity, creating stable and comfortable living environments. These materials also provide effective sound insulation, resulting in spaces that are peaceful and conducive to a deeper connection with nature.
Natural materials help reduce energy bills by enhancing a building’s thermal performance and decreasing reliance on artificial heating and cooling. Over time, this results in considerable cost savings for homeowners, while the reduced environmental footprint ensures the home supports the surrounding natural world.
Designing with regenerative materials fosters ecological balance, ensuring resources are preserved for future generations.These choices emphasise long-term planetary health over short-term convenience, contributing to a built environment that harmonises with nature rather than exploits it.
Rammed earth walls offer a striking aesthetic and a sense of permanence, embodying the essence of biophilic design by grounding the building in its environment. However, their use in New Zealand requires careful consideration. Many rammed earth walls rely heavily on cement as a stabiliser, significantly increasing their embodied carbon footprint. Additionally, these walls provide excellent thermal mass but lack insulating value, which can lead to energy inefficiencies if not thoughtfully paired with complementary design strategies.
Many rammed earth walls rely heavily on cement as a stabiliser, significantly increasing their embodied carbon footprint.
Energy modelling becomes critical when working with rammed earth to ensure that sufficient solar gains are achieved through optimised orientation and glazing. Factors such as Solar Heat Gain Coefficient (SHGC), light transmission, and insulating values must be carefully balanced to maintain energy efficiency without compromising thermal comfort or natural light. Properly designed glazing and well-integrated courtyards can capture sunlight and frame views, fostering a seamless indoor-outdoor connection that aligns with biophilic principles.
Choosing industrial or synthetic materials often leads to significant downsides for both the planet and the people who inhabit these buildings:
Many conventional materials, such as paints, synthetic adhesives, and engineered woods, release VOCs, degrading indoor air quality and posing long-term health risks.
The production of materials like steel, concrete, and plastics is energy-intensive and a major contributor to global CO2 emissions.
Synthetic materials often contain resins, pollutants, and additives that do not break down naturally, creating waste streams that persist for centuries.
Many conventional materials degrade faster than their natural counterparts, leading to higher replacement costs and more frequent waste generation.
Designing with natural materials is about more than minimising environmental impact—it’s about embracing a philosophy that fosters harmony between people, buildings, and nature. By integrating regenerative materials with thoughtful design strategies, such as energy modelling and biophilic principles, architects can create homes that are as functional and efficient as they are beautiful and life-affirming.
Whether through the tactile warmth of untreated macrocarpa timber, the timeless elegance of lime plaster, or the dynamic interplay of light and shadow in a rammed-earth courtyard, natural materials offer a profound opportunity to reimagine the spaces we inhabit. Choosing these materials is an investment in a future where the built environment is a source of healing for people, the planet, and generations yet to come.
