ASEA UNINET Programme
Mobility carried out at the following university / institution:
Suranaree University of Technology (SUT), Thailand
Duration of stay:
2 weeks in November 2023 (4.11– 21.11.23)
Department of the University of Arts Linz:
Architecture, BASEhabitat
Local materials, global impact: our journey with bio-based and local building materials in Thailand
During autumn 2023 and spring 2024, the BASEhabitat team, consisting of Florian Fend, Marta Rota and Christian Daschek from the Department of Architecture, had the opportunity to participate in an impactful project funded by ASEA-UNINET. This project, entitled "Regenerative and local construction materials: carbon footprint of a bamboo and earthen house in Mae Sai, Thailand", is a collaboration between the University of Arts Linz and the Suranaree University of Technology (SUT) and aims to analyse the carbon footprint and the natural building materials of a guesthouse built in Mae Sai, Thailand.
This guesthouse, designed and built by BASEhabitat in cooperation with the NGO Baan Doi, utilizes locally sourced bamboo and earth. Our aim was to compare the carbon emissions of these bio-based materials with those of conventional construction materials, providing insights into sustainable building practices.
Activities
Initial Planning and Coordination (April 2023)
We started the project with a series of planning meetings to align our objectives. This phase included coordinating with SUT partners and finalising the grant proposal.
Collaboration and Research (October 2023 – April 2024)
The BASEhabitat team worked closely with Prof. Ph.D. Vorasiri de Cadenet and Prof. Ph.D. Menglim Hoy from the SUT team to test the strength of adobe and bamboo and to assess the carbon footprint from material production to construction using Life Cycle Assessment (LCA). With the infrastructure and laboratory to test materials, SUT has been instrumental in facilitating research into bamboo and earthen construction.
Trip to Thailand (November 2023)
During our trip to Thailand, we held lectures and interactive sessions with SUT professors and students, fostering an exchange of knowledge and ideas. At SUT we conducted various tests, including compression tests on mud bricks (adobe) and tensile strength tests on bamboo.
During our stay, we went on a field trip to visit several local projects built with bamboo and earth. This excursion highlighted the versatility and potential of these materials in different building contexts. Interacting with the locals and understanding their building practices enriched our experience and provided a deeper insight into sustainable construction.
SUT visit in Linz (April 2024)
In April 2024 Prof. Vorasiri de Cadenet came to the University of Arts Linz to visit our facilities. We gave her a tour and an insight into our work. During her stay, she presented the results of the carbon footprint analysis of the bamboo and earth guesthouse. The results showed that the bamboo-earth house had a carbon footprint 3.22 times lower than a conventional house. This finding highlights the environmental benefits of using local and bio-based materials.
Outcomes and Impact
Participating in this project not only allowed us to advance our research in sustainable construction, but also to work with passionate colleagues and students from different cultural backgrounds. The insights and connections gained have inspired our work and teaching at the University of Arts Linz.
This project has highlighted the immense potential of bio-based and local building materials in reducing carbon emissions and promoting sustainable building practices. The collaboration between the University of Arts Linz and SUT has been fruitful, and we look forward to continuing our efforts towards a more sustainable future.
Thank you to ASEA-UNINET for funding this project and to our colleagues and the students at SUT for their invaluable contributions and collaboration.