Exploring bio-based building materials as nature-based solutions to socio-environmental challenges

Which materials we use for building matter.


They influence the process of construction, renovation, demolition and transportation. They influence the impact on ecosystems and our climate. They influence how people feel. They influence costs. The materials we choose to build with will have an everlasting effect on generations to come. This tool aids decision-makers with the best scientific evidence and the latest Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) data to easily compare scenarios of the impact of different building materials.

This tool can help you compare the social and ecological impacts of different building materials on a traditional and a biobased house.


By selecting a different material for each part of the house you will be able to see how your choices for a biobased model (House A) compare to the baseline model (House B). Experience how your choices affect CO2 and nitrogen emissions, biodiversity, wellbeing and the weight of the house.

The bio-based model and the baseline house are 120 square metres, 2 story houses situated in a row of houses. The models for the houses are drawn up by an architect and are not real buildings.

1. Choose a piling foundation for your house:

Remove pile

2. Choose a building material for your house's foundations:

Remove foundations

3. Choose a wall construction material for your house design:

Remove walls

4. Select an insulation material:

Remove insulation

5. Select a wall covering material:

Remove wall covering

6. Select a roof for your house design:

Remove roof

7. Which kind of roof covering will your house have?

Remove roof covering


Download Assessment Results


Should you require further information about any of the alternative building materials featured in this assesment then please contact us at info@oncra.org.

Download a copy of your house assessment results:

House A

(Your house choices)

House B

(Average dutch house 120m2)

Impact categoryHouse AHouse B
Stored CO2

0.0 tons

2.6 tons

Life Cycle CO2

0.0 tons

26.6 tons

Net CO2

0.0 tons

24.0 tons

Nitrogen Emissions

0.0 kg

49.9 kg

Biodiversity Impact

0 (1,4-DB) eq.

256 (1,4-DB) eq.

Wellbeing
Total Weight

0.0 tons

109.1 tons


Further information on data here.
Materials UsedHouse AHouse B
Pile Foundation

Concrete Piles

Foundations

Concrete

Wall Construction

Concrete

Insulation

Polyisocyanurate

Wall Covering

Brick

Roof

Timber & PIR

Roof Covering

Ceramic Tiles