Hempcrete, bamboo and cob: eco home building materials
Green building alternatives

Sleek concrete homes might be all the rage right now but these days there's a whole host of eco-friendly options that are just as effective as traditional building materials. From rammed earth, to straw bale and even cork, who says sustainability and stunning architecture can't be a match made in heaven?
Building a home with hempcrete

Made by mixing the woody part of the hemp plant with lime, hempcrete boasts impressive airtightness and insulation for a cosy home all year round. What's more, these sustainable bricks absorb and release internal moisture vapour, preventing condensation and damp from taking hold. With costs comparable to those of conventional construction methods, hempcrete is high on our list of eco alternatives.
READ MORE: Passive houses around the world that cost nothing to run
Hempcrete house, Haifa, Israel

Designed by architectural practice Tav Group, this hillside home in Israel was built using only natural, locally sourced building materials. With hempcrete walls coated in a thick layer of earth-based plaster, concrete didn't even get a look-in on this sustainable project.
Hempcrete house, Haifa, Israel

Hempcrete house, Haifa, Israel

Hempcrete house, Haifa, Israel

Building a home with straw bale

Straw bale house, Ontario, Canada

Straw bale house, Ontario, Canada

The roof conceals an array of eco-friendly secrets, including a garden habitat for wildlife and 36 solar panels. Designed by architects Office Ou, the firm says it's the first electrically net-zero straw house in Hamilton, meaning it produces as much energy as it consumes.
READ MORE: Cutting-edge straw bale homes to inspire you
Straw bale house, Ontario, Canada

Straw bale house, Ontario, Canada

Throughout the interior, natural textures take centre stage against a thoroughly modern aesthetic. In the bathroom, grained marble softens angular lines. An abundance of daylight is channelled through the property via skylights, reducing the homeowner's reliance on electric lighting.
Building a home with rammed earth

Rammed earth home, Hanoi, Vietnam

Nestled in the Dong Anh District of Hanoi, this colourful home has a distinctive striped exterior thanks to its rammed earth construction. A traditional building method in northwestern Vietnam, architects Vo Trong Nghia wanted to celebrate this age-old construction process with a modern architectural twist.
Rammed earth home, Hanoi, Vietnam

Built in 2017 to accommodate a multigenerational family, the interior was designed as a series of private and communal spaces. An open-plan living space lies at the heart of the home, extending the full width of the dwelling. Floor-to-ceiling glazing creates a seamless flow between indoors and the garden outside.
READ MORE: 29 design secrets for successful open-plan living
Rammed earth home, Hanoi, Vietnam

Rammed earth home, Hanoi, Vietnam

Building a house with cork

Cork tiny house, Vila Real, Portugal

Cork tiny house, Vila Real, Portugal

The project was designed by startup Ecocubo to enable visitors to reconnect with the natural world. Measuring a snug nine square metres, it can house up to two intrepid explorers at a time.
Cork tiny house, Vila Real, Portugal

Cork tiny house, Vila Real, Portugal

Building an earthbag home

Earthbag house, California, USA

Dubbed the Eco-Dome, this earthbag design was created by CalEarth, a not-for-profit organisation that provides sustainable housing solutions for the displaced and homeless. A modular layout, it can be built as a double domed structure to provide additional bedrooms if necessary.
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Earthbag house, California, USA

Earthbag house, California, USA

It may only measure 400 square feet, but this pocket-sized home packs a punch when it comes to energy efficiency. A rocket mass heater and a 'wind scoop' passive cooling system ensure that the temperature remains in the Goldilocks zone, no matter the season.
Earthbag house, California, USA

Earthbag house, California, USA

Building a house with cob
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Cob house, Mayne Island, Canada

This unique cob cottage looks as though its escaped from the pages of a fairy tale. Hand-sculpted curved walls and an irregular wooden roof create an utterly enchanting facade. We're half expecting Snow White to emerge from the woods with a parade of small men...
READ MORE: Incredible fairy tale homes that people can actually live in
Cob house, Mayne Island, Canada

Cob house, Mayne Island, Canada

Cob house, Mayne Island, Canada

Upstairs, the characterful wooden barrel ceiling creates a cosy bedroom space. Fancy calling this cute cob dwelling home for a few days? Prices are around £96 per night.
Building a house with Timbercrete

Timbercrete house, Mudgee, Australia

Timbercrete house, Mudgee, Australia

Timbercrete house, Mudgee, Australia

Timbercrete house, Mudgee, Australia

Set within five acres, the home includes ample space for parking and storage, with enough land to add a pool. It's currently on the market for A$1.1 million (£547k).
Building an Earthship home

Earthship Ironbank, Adelaide, Australia

A quaint bed and breakfast, this incredible Earthship is the perfect place for those looking to experience off-the-grid living. Seven years in the making, you'll find Australia's first Earthship tucked away in the hills of Adelaide.
READ MORE: Incredible Earthships: Off-grid homes you've got to see
Earthship Ironbank, Adelaide, Australia

Earthship Ironbank, Adelaide, Australia

Earthship Ironbank, Adelaide, Australia

Building a home with bamboo

Bamboo house, Pipa Beach, Brazil

Designed by Vilela Florez, this luxury bamboo home was constructed in Brazil's rural northeast. Oriented towards the spot's prevailing winds, its clever design creates a natural passage of air across the gardens and into the bedrooms, cooling the thick tropical heat.
Bamboo house, Pipa Beach, Brazil

Finished in only 10 months, the dramatic exterior features bamboo stick panels arranged in a striking herringbone pattern. It spans 1,938 square feet, encompassing three ensuite bedrooms and an outdoor kitchen and living zone.
Bamboo house, Pipa Beach, Brazil

Bamboo house, Pipa Beach, Brazil

Each of the spacious bedrooms opens out onto the main outdoor living area, which is sheltered by stone walls and a wooden canopy. An expansive pool measures the length of the property and provides the perfect place to soak up the sun. Now, wouldn't you say that they are better than concrete?
READ MORE: This family live for free in their self-sufficient biodome
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