Ever got to that stage of your project where you gotta set the materials for different spaces and got stuck, no idea what to use to make your project unique while keeping harmony with your design?

Happens to the best of us!

Or you feel like you’re tired of seeing the same old options, and you want to know if there are more options than bricks, concrete, granite, etc?

Then you came to the right place! I will preface this by saying that this is in no way saying these more “common” materials are bad. This is for those of us who want to experiment with something more.

Moving away from the norm

I will not lie, I love a well designed brick building, but sometimes we need to see diversity. 

Choosing alternate material choices will not just make your place stand out from the rest, if chosen well, it will also make the building/project have a unique identity and character that makes people want to experience it.

Here is some of my recommendations when it comes to innovative, sustainable, and radical materials (please note that I am not claiming these aren’t already used, they just tend to be less common):

1. Fabrics/textile

Did you know you can actually use fabrics as building materials? 

In architecture, textiles are often used for shading, canopies, or even entire roofs. 

Think of the Olympic Stadium in Munich or the King Fahad National Library Riyadh in Saudi Arabia. Both use fabric tension structures that create elegant curves while blocking harsh sunlight. 

Fabrics are lightweight and flexible, which makes them great for outdoor gathering areas or temporary installations. 

The only thing to keep in mind with this material is that fabrics can fade or tear over time, especially in strong sunlight or heavy rain.

2. Glass bricks

A few days ago, as I was scrolling instagram, I saw a post of an Hermes store in Amsterdam that had a glass brick facade, and to say I was amazed would be an understatement!

Glass bricks are thick, translucent blocks made of hollow or solid glass, often used to allow natural light in while keeping privacy. 

They work well in stairwells, bathrooms, or modern facades where you want daylight without direct visibility. 

They add a soft glow to spaces and make rooms feel brighter without needing large windows.

Although they are quite stylish, they can be expensive and heavy. They need careful installation to ensure proper sealing and structural support to prevent leaks or cracks.

3. Bamboo

Bamboo might be one of the most impressive natural materials out there.

It grows very fast and can be used for walls, floors, and even entire structures, not to mention it is very commonly found in most tropical regions.

In places like Bali, bamboo is becoming a favorite for sustainable construction. The Green School for girls in Bali, Indonesia is a great example of what can be achieved with it.

It is renewable, lightweight, and very strong, which makes it good for eco-friendly construction, especially in tropical areas.

The main consideration is that untreated bamboo can rot or attract insects, so it must be properly cured and protected from moisture.

4. Rammed earth

This material is one of my favorites not just because it is a sustainable alternative, but also because it looks so good whenever used well as a facade.

Rammed earth construction uses layers of compacted soil to form thick, beautiful walls. The result looks natural and earthy, almost like carved stone.

It’s great for hot, dry climates since it keeps interiors cool during the day and warm at night.

The Great Wall of China was partly made with rammed earth, and modern architects like David Hertz use it for sustainable homes.

It’s eco-friendly and visually beautiful, showing natural color gradients from the soil. However, construction requires skilled labor and proper waterproofing to prevent erosion in rainy regions.

5. Natural clay(like Lime or Clay plaster)

Clay and lime plasters have been used for centuries to coat walls, and they are still loved today for their natural feel.

Imagine, instead of a plain old boring white plaster for your interior walls, you had an earthy toned natural colored material that helps regulate humidity and creates a soft, breathable finish!

Lime plaster has natural antibacterial qualities and a lovely matte finish that gives walls character, and you can often find it in Mediterranean homes or eco-friendly buildings. 

So if you want a Mediterranean style home, you know what to do!

Natural clay is great for improving indoor air quality, although it can crack a little if the surface underneath moves or dries too quickly, so be careful when you choose to work with it.

6. Straw bales

Straw bale houses might sound old-fashioned, but they’re making a quiet comeback in sustainable building.

Straw bale construction uses compacted straw (a byproduct of grain crops) as building blocks for walls, covered with plaster or clay.

It’s best for natural homes in temperate climates, offering great insulation and breathability. It is energy efficient and keeps homes cool in summer and warm in winter. 

Straw is also inexpensive and widely available.

The biggest challenge to working with straw bales is keeping it dry, since moisture can lead to mold or decay if not properly sealed.

7. Recycled plastic

Plastic waste doesn’t have to end up in landfills–it can be turned into bricks, panels, and even paving blocks.

In Kenya, for example, companies like Gjenge Makers are producing recycled plastic paving blocks that are stronger than concrete.

These materials are durable, waterproof, and a big win for the environment.

However, they are best used for non-structural parts of buildings, since plastic can soften under high heat and is not ideal for carrying heavy loads.

8. Self-healing concrete

Can you imagine having concrete that can repair itself? Well, for my fellow concrete lovers, that is a reality actually!

Self-healing concrete contains bacteria or special agents that fill small cracks when water seeps in. It’s being tested in bridges, tunnels, and buildings across Europe and Japan.

This type of concrete lasts longer and reduces repair costs, which makes it ideal for hard-to-reach structures.

It is still new and more expensive than normal concrete, but it shows real promise for the future of construction.

9. Organic materials (specifically cow dung)

Ok hear me out! If you have visited the Ethnographic museum in Huye, Butare, you might know where I’m heading with this.

Cow dung has long been used as a construction material in traditional building, especially in most parts of Africa, and India among others.

There is a reason why some rural areas in countries like Uganda still use this material. When mixed with clay or straw, it makes a natural plaster that helps keep homes cool and even repels insects.

Apart from that, it is affordable, sustainable, and very common especially in rural areas.

It might not be your first choice, but I promise you its properties are better than some of its expensive counterparts.

It must be properly processed, though, to avoid odor or hygiene problems, so it is less common in modern cities.

10. Cork

Cork is made from the bark of cork oak trees, which regrows after harvesting, so it is very sustainable.

It is soft, lightweight, and sound-absorbing. You can find cork used for flooring, wall panels, insulation, and even furniture. 

The Cork House in Portugal, for example, features cork walls that help regulate temperature. It feels warm and cozy indoors.

It does not do well in very wet places, though, since too much moisture can damage it, so be sure to keep it away from areas that get too wet.

11. Cob

It’s pretty clear that I love a good natural material, especially if it has anything to do with earth. And this particular material is good for whimsy designs.

Cob is a natural mix of clay, sand, and straw that’s molded by hand to form walls. It’s strong, beautiful, and gives a lovely earthy feel to homes.

It’s best suited for small-scale, organic homes in dry or mild climates. It’s fireproof, breathable, strong, and affordable. 

 In the UK, you can still find centuries-old cob cottages that are perfectly livable today. It’s also becoming popular again with people who want to build their own eco-homes.

The only catch is that it takes time to build and needs good protection from heavy rain.

12. Ferrock

Last, but not least on my list, is ferrock, one of the new stars in green building materials.

It’s made from waste steel dust and recycled materials, and it actually absorbs carbon dioxide as it hardens.

It is stronger than concrete and resists rust, which makes it great for marine structures or buildings near the coast.

Its main benefits are sustainability and strength. However, it is still fairly new on the market and still being tested so it’s not yet widely available, and this also makes it not so cost friendly.

How to know which material is best suited for you?

Whether you are an architect, a contractor, a potential home owner, an engineer, or just someone interested in learning about construction materials, knowing which material to choose is important.

With a wide selection of materials at our disposal today, we can get lost or feel overwhelmed or even doubt ourselves. 

So I will give you a simple guide that can help you choose the materials that truly fits your vision:

1. Think about long-term sustainability: Consider how eco-friendly the material is and where it comes from, and also how it will behave in the long run and that’s a commitment fit for you

2. Consider cost and maintenance: See if the material cost falls within your budget range. Also consider the long term maintenance cost, some materials are cheap upfront but need frequent repairs while others might cost more initially but last longer and save money over time.

3. Match the material to your project’s purpose and style: Ask yourself what the building is for and the look you want. Light, open spaces might suit fabrics or glass bricks, while thick, cozy walls might work with cob or rammed earth.

4. Try different materials in visualization: Experimenting before committing helps you make a more confident choice. Use (if you can) or ask your architect to use sketches, 3D models, or simple mock-ups to see how materials feel in your space.

5. Think about the local climate and environment: Choosing materials that naturally suit the environment can save energy and increase comfort. Some materials are better for hot, dry climates, while others handle rain or cold better.

6. Consider availability and sourcing: Materials that are locally available can reduce costs and support the community. Also check if the material is easy to get in the quantities you need.

7. Balance aesthetics and function: Make sure the material not only looks good but also performs well for its purpose. Durability, insulation, light, and texture all matter depending on your project.

All in all, when you think about materiality, make sure to properly do your research well and find the best fit for your project.

This was a rather long read, but I hope you both enjoyed and learned something new or informed yourself further on your prior knowledge.

I will see you in my next post, and until then keep reading the gems I have on my page if you haven’t already. Let me know what topics you’d like me to cover next in the comments, bye!