Biomaterials: A Regional and Global Movement for Climate Justice and Resilience
About this course
Building with bio-based materials allow us to address the combined crises of climate change, biodiversity loss, and social inequity. Workforce development, housing access, regional supply chains, and sustainable food and forest systems are all key elements of climate resilience and justice.
In this session, learn how building materials fit into this pattern as we explore a UN report on biomaterials and a Northeast initiative to scale their use in the built environment. After their presentation, the speakers facilitated a workshop, where participants will identified actionable steps for evolving their own practices.
Learning Objectives
- Identify the importance of biomaterials as a resilience strategy.
- Develop strategies involving biomaterials, climate response, and social equity to incorporate into your practice.
- Coordinate with regional work to scale the use of biomaterials in the Northeast, and join regional efforts that will support their practice.
- Confirm the value and importance of building-level solutions in a global context of climate action.
This course is included in this bundle
Course outline
Welcome • 1 assignments
Orientation Materials
- Welcome to the course!
Module 1 • 8 assignments
Biomaterials: A Regional and Global Movement for Climate Justice and Resilience
- Introduction and Overview (01:34 minutes)
- Global Context and UN Report Insights (11:56 minutes)
- Case Studies & Practical Applications (06:39 minutes)
- Innovative Approaches and Future Directions (15:14 minutes)
- How Can Regionally Produced Renewable Building Materials Be Brought to Market at Scale? (07:02 minutes)
- Building a Collaborative Future (07:42 minutes)
- What Will You Do Next? - Conversations with the Audience (14:09 minutes)
- Presentation Slides (.pdf)
Conclusion • 2 assignments
Feedback and Additional Resources
- Feedback: 2-minute Exit Survey
- Certificate of Completion: Request a Certificate (members only)
Authors
Jacob Racusin
Jacob Deva Racusin is Director of Building Science and Sustainability with New Frameworks Natural Design/Build. As a consultant, designer, and educator, Jacob merges his passions for ecological stewardship, relationship to place, and social justice. Jacob is also an Embodied Carbon Analyst and BEAM Trainer and Co-Developer with Builders For Climate Action. Jacob has...
Ace McArleton
Ace founded New Frameworks in 2006, blending natural building materials and methods with high performance designs. Ace instructs in the Natural Building Certificate Program at Yestermorrow Design/Build School and is the author of The Natural Building Companion (Chelsea Green 2012).
Chris Hardy
Chris has always enjoyed tackling large problems, with the motivating belief that technical innovation and craft traditions can be united in an architectural idea, and that design can support the global need for conservation. Since joining MASS Design Group in 2018, Chris has focused on complex projects and delivery methods. He spent four years in the Kigali office,...
