BACKSTORY
In 2023, architect Elena Vlasceanu decided to write a proposal for EU funding based on an idea she had nurtured for years.
Despite having no prior experience writing such proposals, she believed in her vision. She invested months of consistent effort to assemble a consortium of partners, and they submitted the proposal together.
The consortium secured the EU-funded grant (specifically, the EIC Pathfinder grant).
AlgoLoam will be developed by an interdisciplinary team of architects, material scientists, textile technology experts, biomimetics experts, sustainability experts, mechanical engineers, loam/clay product developers, and programmers, through collaborative, iterative processes to create critical interactions between disciplines.
The four-year project, aimed at developing functional loam wall prototypes, officially began in October 2024.
Mission
We aim to pioneer the development of fully recyclable and biodegradable loam walls reinforced with natural fibers, leveraging sustainable, low-impact materials to create healthier environments. By combining traditional earth construction techniques with innovative natural reinforcements, we aim to reduce the environmental footprint of the building industry, enhance resource efficiency, and contribute to a circular, sustainable future.
Vision
We aim to transform the construction industry by making eco-friendly, high-performance building materials the new standard. We envision a world where sustainable architecture is accessible, where buildings are designed to breathe, biodegrade, and harmonize with nature, and where the built environment contributes positively to the health of both people and the planet.
ACHIEVEMENTS
During the first reporting period, AlgoLoam advanced across its technical and scientific work packages. We established the conceptual framework for lightweight, natural, and biodegradable loam wall elements. Target parameters for thickness, density, thermal performance, and weight were defined to ensure easier transport and installation compared to conventional loam panels while reducing embodied GHG emissions. Activities included identifying potential applications, assessing material limitations of natural fibres, and integrating these constraints into digital models to ensure technical feasibility.
Early prototyping of reinforcement and loam layers provided insights into material behaviour, fabrication workflows, and structural performance, establishing a foundation for further development. Custom mechanical testing evaluated fibre strength, flexibility, and friction, including performance under water-saturated conditions, to determine suitability for textile processing. Parallel finite element simulations in Abaqus assessed the reinforcement system under tension, compression, shear, and bending, providing insights into stiffness, deformation, and stress distribution. We further established a sustainability framework linking material selection, manufacturing, and digital design. Bio-based fibres and loam were evaluated through literature review, mapping, and preliminary LCAs, resulting in a sustainability matrix and materials catalogue.
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(The images are renderings that illustrate a possible future appearance of AlgoLoam walls. They are not photographs and do not reflect the current stage of wall development.)
Results
During the first reporting period, the AlgoLoam project achieved substantial progress in developing sustainable, high-performance loam wall systems by combining material research, bio-inspired design, advanced textile manufacturing, and digital tools. Suitable natural fibres for 3D reinforcement and loam composites were identified and evaluated, enabling mechanical testing, structural simulation, and sustainability assessments to proceed with reduced uncertainty. Innovative reinforcement structures were successfully developed, offering high stability, low stretchability, and adaptable material distribution to meet specific load requirements. The experimental validation of mechanical properties, textile feasibility, and construction techniques demonstrated the technical viability of replacing synthetic materials with biodegradable alternatives, thereby reducing the environmental footprint of construction. This integrated approach supports systematic understanding, optimisation, and industrial scalability of sustainable composite systems.
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(The images are renderings that illustrate a possible future appearance of AlgoLoam walls. They are not photographs and do not reflect the current stage of wall development.)
POLICY
The EU's regulatory push, driven by the need to eliminate hazardous H2S emissions from landfilled gypsum, is creating a significant market opportunity for sustainable alternatives. Textile-reinforced earth-based interior walls offer a compelling solution by providing a circular, low-carbon, non-toxic material. Their alignment with the Circular Economy Action Plan, potential for local sourcing, and inherent recyclability/biodegradability make them a strong candidate to meet and exceed future EU regulations on construction material sustainability and waste management. As standards mature and production scales, these wall elements are predestined to become a mainstream, environmentally responsible substitute for gypsum boards in a wide range of construction applications. The innovation contributes to the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 9, 11, 12, 13.