Biodegradable, light but durable, fire retardant, sound insulating and with hypoallergenic properties , cork offers one of the highest levels of thermal insulation and can be used for floors, ceilings and walls. What’s not to love!

As a natural replenishable material, wood actively stores carbon which reducing energy output on a building project. Reusing old wood however saves living trees, while preventing usable wood from going to landfill. From a design perspective, the aesthetics of reclaimed wood connects new buildings to old roots giving the building instant character.

Straw-bales can be used as insulation in a similar way to hemp as insulation supported by timber frames. Many people might think that straw bales are an old-fashioned material which isn’t fire safe, but it has been subjected to severe burn tests, and has a fire-retardant rating better than that of plastic-based insulation. It is a very cheap material with excellent insulative properties. It also has very little embodied carbon, as well as being an easily-sourced local material which can be assembled off-site.

Made up of organic salt mixed with locally sourced paper (up to 85%), cellulose insulation is the highest recycled insulation on the market. It is long lasting , fire, pest and mould resistant, reduces CO2 emissions and has good thermal properties.

A natural and sustainable material, bamboo has a higher compressive strength than concrete or wood. It is naturally fire resistant, and can be used in a variety of ways, from flooring to roofing. Bamboo is a perfect alternative housing material, while not only being affordable, it helps regulate the internal and external microclimate, leaving a building with fresh, filtered air.

Mycelium is a fungi vegatative state of mushrooms. How is a fungus employed in architecture and construction? Innovative businesses such as Mogu have produced acoustic panelling and flooring options while offering an array of styles and colours as well. This durable material can either be recycled or biodegrade naturally.

Recycled metals are lightweight, rust and fire resistant, require little upkeep, making some metals such as zinc to be a great substitute to wood and plastic. Zinc roofs can last up to 100 years in an urban environment and 60-80 years in a coastal environment. Zinc roofs in Paris have even held up since the Napoleonic era.

Louvres are aluminium slats used on doors or windows designed to create ventilation and airflow in your home/building. Louvres almost completely eliminate the need for air conditioning and daytime lighting, ultimately reducing your energy costs.

The Rediscovery Centre obtained 6 windows that are used as internal glass screens between workshop spaces.

Steel beams and pipes are reused in the centre as raised bed borders in our rooftop garden.

With our upcycled furniture and paint from the workshops, as well as hospital beds as workbenches, beer crates as stools, table bases salvaged from the old Towers Pub, and tables made from pallets donated by Ianroid Eireann.

By not demolishing and rebuilding the concrete foundations and steel frame, 55 tonnes of embodied carbon were retained.

Made out of lime, hemp shiv, and water, hempcrete is a natural insulation alternative! With the ability to withstand humid conditions and absorb moisture, hempcrete will save you this summer!

Sheep wool is used as insulation- natural, sustainable, & renewable. It creates a thermal barrier through dispersed air pockets helping retain heat.

Reused paint is a great alternative because it’s nontoxic, less expensive & high quality! Not to mention there are tons of colours to choose from! Paint collected from civic amenity centres are remixed and recolored and cleaned to make brand new paint.