Grounded: Sustainable Materials for Living Well [9781761452802]

Overview

Grounded is a stunning design book that showcases and interrogates sustainable, natural materials in contemporary architecture and interior design.

Photographed by environmental scientist–turned B Corp–certified architecture and design photographer Marnie Hawson, and written by design editor and journalist Aleesha Callahan, this book brings together two voices united by a shared commitment to sustainability. Together, they show that world-class design is not only compatible with sustainable materials, but elevated by them. From advances in concrete and the rise of hemp to the emergence of bio-composites – each chapter explores the production, applications and sustainability measures of the new generation of responsible materials. All materials are highly accessible globally and readers are shown real-life applications in stunning architect designed homes around the world.

Each chapter explains how materials are produced, their environmental benefits, and how they are used, making the book both a practical resource and an aspirational design book. In Part One we look at architectural materials such as hemp, straw, rammed earth, bamboo, sustainable concrete and other emerging structural materials. In Part Two we take a deep dive into the interior materials, the layers we live with. From cork floors to wool carpet, recycled plastic to mycelium and lime wash, Aleesha and Marnie help us select the materials that align with our aesthetic, ethics and specific building needs. 

Broad range of styles featured: Remote cabins, renovated heritage family homes, coastal getaways, adaptive reuse and new builds. Many are certified to Passivhaus or EnerPHit standards; all are high-performance homes, designed for comfort and efficiency as much as for how they look. 

Through eye-catching photography and modern homes, Grounded will show what’s possible with these alternative materials. Ideal for architects, designers, sustainability-focused homeowners, and design enthusiasts, combining architectural credibility with coffee-table appeal. Grounded inspires and delights, and ushers in a new era of home design that will have a positive impact on our planet.