Best Paper Award for Bauhaus Earth's Study on Nature-based Building Components

Key findings of the study :

A spectrum of nature-based solutions: This research pushes beyond the conventional vs. timber binary, demonstrating that a diverse range of nature-based approaches, including mass timber, timber-frame with hemp or straw infills, and earth construction. All of them achieve substantial emission reductions (53-65% relative to conventional baseline) whilst storing significant carbon over their lifetime.
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Buildings as carbon sinks: In all nature-based scenarios, carbon storage potential exceeds embodied emissions, meaning these buildings function as net carbon sinks for as long as the bio-based materials remain in use. This underscores the critical importance of designing for longevity and planning for material reuse to maximise the climate benefits of nature-based construction.
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Fast-growing fibres deliver multiple benefits: Straw and hemp both combine strong thermal performance with rapid renewability and minimal processing emissions. As agricultural byproducts and fast-rotation crops, they deliver climate benefits on shorter timescales than timber whilst requiring less material volume for equivalent performance.
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Reducing pressure on forest resources: Timber-frame systems with bio-fibre infills achieve lower overall emissions than mass timber whilst using significantly less wood. This potentially eases demands on forest ecosystems whilst delivering on climate ambitions.
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Floor systems show highest impact potential: Floors present the greatest potential for both emission reductions and carbon storage across all scenarios, due to their high surface area and material-intensive performance requirements.
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There is no universal solution: Each material pathway involves distinct trade-offs between process emissions, carbon storage, resource efficiency, and building performance. Selection should reflect local material availability and specific project requirements rather than universal prescriptions.

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