TY  - EJOU
AU  - Hoiby, John C. 
AU  - Netravali, Anil N. 

TI  - Can We Build with Plants? Cabin Construction Using Green Composites
T2  - Journal of Renewable Materials

PY  - 2015
VL  - 3
IS  - 3
SN  - 2164-6341

AB  - This article discusses the construction (virtual model) of a fully green cabin using two types of green composites:
those that use natural plant-based fibers with soy protein-based resin which have mechanical properties
comparable to wood and wood products, and those that use liquid crystalline cellulose fibers with soy proteinbased resin which have properties comparable to high strength steel. Green composites with moderate strength
were used to create molded walls and advanced green composites were used to create the load-bearing
framework of the cabin. Construction with molded composites and prefabricated framework can greatly
simplify traditional wood construction based on many parts or layers. Since the walls can be molded into
different shapes, there are many possibilities for designing cabin shapes. The design is also modular and
scalable. The article also describes the building of 3D ‘FiberWall’ using thin membrane-like green composites,
providing fibrous texture. FiberWall design can provide not only light-filtering capabilities but also visibility
control, and with added sound absorbant layers, it can also regulate sound in a space. This article exemplifies
how materials scientists and architects can work collaboratively to reduce the carbon footprint through green
construction.
KW  - Soy protein
KW  -  green composites
KW  -  advanced green composites
KW  -  green tactility and esthetics
KW  -  renewable resource
KW  -  design your own material

DO  - 10.7569/JRM.2015.634110