6 Architectural Projects Made Out of Recycled Materials

Recycling isn’t a new concept, but we have now finally reached a point in time and technology where we can make serious use of our non-biodegradable materials in such a way that it isn’t harmful to the environment. In architecture, recycled and reused materials are slowly becoming attractive alternatives to conventional building materials. Apart from reducing raw material costs, using recycled materials leads to the establishment of recycling facilities which in turn generates employment for that particular locality.

Here are 6 architectural projects made out of recycled materials:

1. The Zig-Zag House, United States

Architect: David Coleman

Plastic takes around 500 years to decompose and so it is one of the most concerning wastes which needs to be recycled. The ZigZag house takes full advantage of this degradation time by incorporating recycled bottle-green polycarbonate skin into the north wall of the house, which casts a greenish glow on the surrounding walls at night. The polycarbonate wall also allows light into the centre of the building, which forms the main part of circulation inside. Other materials used include stucco siding, a polycarbonate glazing system, aluminium windows, medium-density fiberboard, perforated metal railings, and birch cabinets.

2. Plastic House, Dublin

Architect: Architecture Republic

The Plastic House in Dublin is another such endeavour which aimed to recycle materials and incorporate polycarbonate into its architecture. Polycarbonate has been introduced in all spaces namely the kitchen, toilet, storage, sleeping, dressing and study spaces. Plastic has been used along with steel as a piece of architectural furniture, spreading like a tree form, setting up a complex series of interconnected and overlapping spaces. 

3. L-House, Poland

Architect: Moomoo Architects

The L-House features the extensive use of ‘thermopian’; a plastic insulating material. Thermopian is generally used for roofing, however, for this house, it has been used for the entire elevation. It has good thermal and insulation properties with excellent acoustics and can have any required colour. 

4. Manav Sadhna, Ahmedabad

Manav Sadhna involves the use of multiple recycled materials, sourced from municipal and domestic waste. Cement-bonded fly ash blocks, recycled glass bottles, recycled plastic bottles filled with cement or fly ash, stabilised soil blocks and vegetable crates are a few of the recycled materials used. Filler slabs with broken clay pots and glass bottles have been used. Waste has been recycled to use as affordable materials to build aesthetic spaces.

5. House of Mixed Hues, Mumbai

The House of Mixed Hues or Collage House looks at the idea of recycling in several ways. Old doors, windows and hundred-year-old columns from a dismantled house have been recycled to make this house. The courtyard walls feature cut-waste stone sliver cladding, which was sourced from the ‘waste’ generated in stone-cutting yards. The flooring is of old Burma teak rafters and purlins.

6. La Fabrique, Switzerland

La Fabrique in Switzerland is another green project that has windows that were sourced from demolition sites and were mounted on an asymmetric timber frame to create the façade and roof. The floor was made using timber boards and chipboards.

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