Future directions for nonconventional and vernacular material research and applications

Abstract

When conventional construction materials such as steel, wood, and concrete are integrated into global supply chains and modern manufacturing practices, it is often at the peril of both the local and global environment. The use of nonconventional and vernacular construction materials addresses these concerns by incorporating cultural context, minimizing environmental destruction, and considering social impacts throughout materials’ life cycle. The future of nonconventional and vernacular materials, however, is context specific and requires rigorous analysis and innovative design to achieve sustainability at a scale similar to conventional materials. Future materials must continue to consider social and environmental concerns, but do so without sacrificing affordability or availability. Through the use of life cycle analysis, consideration of systemic and technical design factors, Pareto optimality, and intersectional innovation, and conventional as well as nonconventional and vernacular construction materials can be assessed for their potential to achieve sustainable scale.