We’ve Been Using the Same Bricks for Over 5,000 Years. This Engineer Says It’s Time for a Change.
24th August 2020
Yeah, these bricks are, like, so 5000 years ago.
But the brick as we know it causes significant environmental problems, by using up raw, finite materials and creating carbon emissions. That’s why Gabriela Medero, a professor of Geotechnical and Geoenvironmental Engineering at Scotland’s Heriot-Watt University, decided to reinvent it.Originally from Brazil, Medero says she was drawn to civil engineering because it gave her passion for maths and physics a practical outlet. As she became aware of the construction industry’s sustainability issues, she started looking for solutions. With her university’s support, Medero joined forces with fellow engineer Sam Chapman and set up Kenoteq in 2009.
August 25th, 2020 at 08:46
A solution in search of a problem.
Bricks have existed for 5000 years because they’re cheap, easy to make, they work really well for building things, and they last pretty close to forever. I’m pretty sure there are other building materials that could be improved and result in significant changes. Most roofing materials are only good for a decade or so. Wood rots or gets eaten by termites. (Hence the old joke about how a wife is like a termite colony. Sooner or later one gets your house.)