Ecological Brick: what it is, how it is made, and benefits

In the midst of the growing demand for sustainable practices in the construction industry, the ecological brick has gained prominence as a promising alternative. With a manufacturing process that significantly reduces environmental impacts compared to conventional bricks, it presents itself as an efficient and modern solution for those looking to reduce the ecological footprint of their constructions.

casacor bolivia decor decoration architecture 2021 exhibitions reflections chiquitano pool oscar anglarill

Reflejos Chiquitanos - Piscina - Oscar Anglarill. A piscina torna-se o cenário perfeito para misturar elementos ecológicos, inovadores e tecnológicos. O tijolo aparente, o concreto armado, o porcelanato e a madeira são materiais que se misturam de forma estética, dando continuidade ao estilo arquitetônico da própria casa. Neste projeto, o sistema de deck automatizado ajuda na otimização do espaço e, graças a sua tecnologia, permite o fechamento parcial ou total da piscina. (Alvaro Mier/CASACOR)

What is ecological brick?

The ecological brick is a construction material that stands out for its cleaner and more sustainable manufacturing process, unlike conventional bricks that depend on firing in a kiln. This method reduces CO2 emissions and energy consumption, in addition to encouraging the use of local materials in its production, aiding the construction of a productive cycle.

Anastácia Hersen and Matheus Mendes - Loft Food for the body, mind, and soul. Project of CASACOR Brasília 2024.

Anastácia Hersen e Matheus Mendes - Loft Alimento do corpo, da mente e da alma. Projeto da CASACOR Brasília 2024. (Edgard César/CASACOR)

The main materials used in manufacturing include waste from industries, such as rice husks, wood waste, cement, soil, and other local components that can be reused. In addition, these bricks can be fitted without the use of mortar, which also contributes to dry construction processes.

Among the advantages of ecological bricks are the reduction of carbon footprint, the decrease in material waste, and the encouragement of more sustainable construction.

Origin and production in Brazil

In Brazil, the popularization of ecological bricks began to gain momentum in the 2000s, with initiatives focused on the construction of sustainable and affordable housing. Its use is especially favored in regions where natural resources and energy are scarce or economically unviable. The production of this type of brick is decentralized and can be carried out in small community factories, facilitating access to remote communities. Besides being ecological, the brick has excellent thermal and acoustic performance, which makes it an attractive option for the construction industry in various regions of the country.

CASACOR Campinas 2016– Wine Cellar – Júnior Pacheco based his proposal on the use of ecological bricks, reclaimed wood, cork, special paints. The niches with unequal geometries, in orange, accommodate wine bottles. The burgundy red covers the walls and the copper dresses the entrance hall.

CASACOR Campinas 2016– Adega – Júnior Pacheco baseou sua proposta no uso de tijolo ecológico, madeira de demolição, cortiça, pinturas especiais. Os nichos de geometrias desiguais, na cor laranja, acolhem garrafas de vinho. O vermelho burgundy recobre as paredes e o cobre veste o hall de entrada. (Divulgação/CASACOR)

Permaculture and the use of ecological brick

Permaculture, a system of agricultural and social design that seeks the harmonious integration between landscapes and people, finds a strong ally in ecological brick. It values the use of renewable resources and low environmental impact, values that converge entirely with the use of ecological bricks in permacultural constructions. These elements promote the viability of sustainable structures, as they employ construction techniques that respect and positively interact with the natural projects around. In permaculture, the construction of dwellings also follows the principles of sustainability, and the use of these materials is a way to build more efficiently and with lower environmental impact. The choice of ecological brick within a permacultural project can contribute to a healthy projects, as it allows the creation of structures with lower waste of resources and energy, in addition to providing better thermal and acoustic insulation.

Types of ecological bricks

There are different types of ecological bricks, each with specific characteristics and advantages depending on the manufacturing process and the materials used. Here are some of the main:

Soil-cement brick

Composto por solo e cimento, o tijolo solo-cimento é uma alternativa eficiente e econômica para construções sustentáveis, garantindo durabilidade e conforto térmico. Uma solução que promove a construção responsável e o uso consciente de recursos. (Cimento Itambé/Divulgação)

It consists of a mixture of soil, cement, and water, compacted in molds under high pressure. The absence of firing in its production process makes its manufacturing highly sustainable. This type of brick is known for its durability and thermal insulation capacity, acting as a barrier against abrupt temperature variations.

Adobe brick

O tijolo adobe é uma opção ecológica e sustentável, que preserva a temperatura interna da construção e oferece excelente resistência térmica. Uma verdadeira conexão entre a natureza e a construção civil. (Clay Expert/Divulgação)

One of the oldest forms of construction, adobe brick is made from a mixture of earth, water, and natural fibers. Molded by hand and dried in the sun, these bricks have excellent thermal and acoustic insulation capacity. However, they require proper protection against humidity to avoid premature wear.

Brick made with construction waste

K-Briq: tijolo sustentável criado pela engenheira Gabriela Medero na Universidade Heriot-Watt, na Escócia. Feito com 90% de resíduos da construção civil, reduz emissões de carbono e propõe uma alternativa ecológica aos materiais convencionais. (Divulgação/CASACOR)

This type of brick is produced from waste materials discarded on construction sites, such as concrete remnants, ceramics, and mortar. The recycling of this waste helps reduce the volume of debris in landfills and encourages more sustainable construction. Furthermore, these bricks exhibit good structural resistance and can be used in various applications. An example is the K-brick, developed by Professor and engineer Gabriela Medero to reduce carbon emissions in the projects.

Brick made with recycled plastics

A engenheira queniana Nzambi Matee desenvolveu tijolos de plástico reciclado até 7 vezes mais resistentes que o concreto. Sua startup, Gjenge Makers, em Nairóbi, transforma resíduos plásticos descartados em materiais sustentáveis para pavimentação, gerando emprego e reduzindo a poluição. (Ciclo Vivo/UN Environment Programme/Divulgação)

This type of brick is produced from the recycling of discarded plastics, such as PET bottles and industrial waste. The material is shredded and combined with additives that ensure strength and durability. In addition to significantly reducing the volume of plastic waste in landfills, these bricks have good thermal insulation capacity and are resistant to humidity, making them an excellent alternative for sustainable constructions.

Benefits of Using Ecological Bricks

Ecological brick made with plastic removed from the oceans

Tijolo ecológico feito com plástico retirado dos oceanos. (Divulgação/CASACOR)

Ecological bricks offer a series of advantages that contribute to a more sustainable and efficient construction. Here are some of the main benefits of this innovative material:

Sustainability: the main advantage of ecological brick is its contribution to reducing the environmental impact. By using recycled materials and avoiding the burning of natural resources, as happens in the manufacture of conventional bricks, this product helps minimize the emission of pollutant gases and reduce water and energy consumption.
Thermal and acoustic efficiency: ecological bricks have an excellent thermal insulation capacity, keeping the internal temperature of constructions more stable, which reduces the need for heating or cooling systems and consequently energy consumption. In addition, they provide good acoustic insulation, offering greater comfort to residents.
Waste reduction: the production of ecological bricks often involves the recycling of materials that would be discarded, such as plastics, construction waste, and other recyclable products. This process helps decrease the volume of garbage in landfills, promoting the circular economy.
Durability and resistance: although they do not involve the firing process, ecological bricks are highly durable and exhibit good structural resistance, ensuring greater longevity for constructions. They are particularly effective in areas with large thermal variations due to their robustness.
Cost reduction: although the initial cost of producing ecological bricks may be slightly higher, the savings generated over time is significant. The use of this material reduces expenses on energy and maintenance of constructions, making it a more economical option in the long term.
Ease of construction: ecological bricks, due to their shape and perfect interlocking, allow for a faster and more efficient construction. With less need for mortar, the laying process is facilitated, resulting in reduced time and labor.

Reflejos Chiquitanos - Piscina - Oscar Anglarill. Projeto da CASACOR Bolívia 2021. (Alvaro Mier/CASACOR)

New studies and technologies

The sustainable construction sector is advancing rapidly, and ecological bricks are no exception. Researchers are investigating new material compositions, such as the addition of organic or industrial waste, seeking to optimize thermal and acoustic insulation without compromising structural strength. 3D printing technologies are also beginning to explore the potential of ecological bricks, allowing for the construction of complex structures with precision and less waste. Additionally, sustainable construction management apps offer architects and engineers new ways to plan buildings that maximize the use of ecological materials. CASACOR Publisher is a content creation agent developed by the CASACOR Technology team based on the knowledge base of casacor.com.br. This text was edited by Yeska Coelho. [april-see-also]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[/abril-veja-tambem]