Building Otherwise
AI Article Summary
A project recognized with a 2025 Canadian Architect Student Award of Excellence reimagines construction in remote Quebec by using nettle-lime bricks. Located in Blanc-Sablon, this initiative uses local nettle plants to develop sustainable building materials. The breathable bricks, likened to hempcrete, are suited to cold and humid environments, and the project envisages creating a local economy through a nettle-brick production campus. This approach emphasizes sustainability, local resources, and minimal environmental impact in architecture.
What This Means for Canadian Contractors
This project shows how local materials and innovation can drive sustainable construction practices in remote areas, reducing reliance on imported materials and fostering local economies. For Canadian builders, this means exploring indigenous resources as a viable option to meet environmental guidelines and potentially lower construction costs. By incorporating such materials, there may be changes in permit processes, and opportunities for new funding sources focused on sustainability.
