The homes built to withstand fire

illuminem summarizes for you the essential news of the day. Read the full piece on BBC or enjoy below:

🗞️ Driving the news: Homeowners in the western U.S. are rebuilding their homes lost to wildfires using earth bricks, hoping to create fire-resistant structures
• Melanie Glover, whose Colorado home was destroyed in 2021, rebuilt with compressed earth blocks, a material known for its resistance to flames
• This trend aligns with increasing interest in earthen construction as climate change exacerbates wildfire risks

🔭 The context: Earthen building techniques, like adobe, have been used globally for centuries and are experiencing a revival due to their durability and climate adaptability
• Early research, including tests conducted at the University of California, Davis, shows earth blocks can endure extreme temperatures and even strengthen after exposure to fire
• However, widespread adoption faces hurdles like higher initial costs, insurance challenges, and lack of standard building codes

🌍 Why it matters for the planet: Earth-based construction could significantly reduce carbon emissions in the building sector by replacing traditional materials like timber and cement
• The blocks' lower embodied carbon and energy efficiency help reduce the environmental impact of housing
• As wildfire risks increase, fire-resistant building solutions are crucial for sustainable living in fire-prone areas

⏭️ What's next: Efforts are underway to establish building standards for earthen homes, which could lower costs and encourage broader adoption
• Researchers are exploring stabilizing techniques for dirt blocks to meet modern building codes
• Meanwhile, homeowners and builders continue to experiment with innovative fire-resistant designs

💬 One quote: "I said to myself, dirt doesn’t burn. We should build a house of dirt" — Melanie Glover, homeowner in Superior, Colorado

📈 One stat: In 2020, the Bobcat Fire in California burned miles of land, but an earth-built home from 2008 survived unscathed

Click for more news covering the latest on sustainable living