Sustainability Report
Embodied carbon
Cabana Zero minimizes its carbon footprint through resource efficiency and independence:
Embodied Carbon Reduction:
- Reclaimed Wood: Avoids emissions from new timber production.
- Low Concrete: Reduces emissions from cement manufacturing.
- Off-Grid Design: Eliminates grid connection carbon footprint.
- Local/Manual Assembly: Reduces reliance on heavy machinery.
- Minimized Transportation: Lightweight design reduces transport emissions.
Materials:
- Reclaimed Structural Timber: Hardwood recycled from the original on-site warehouse, reducing environmental impact, operational costs, and honoring the site's material history.
- Recycled PET Insulation: Ecofiber insulation provides thermal comfort while repurposing post-consumer plastic waste.
- Autoclaved Pine Cladding: Nova Eukaliptus Madeiras cladding (interior and exterior) combines durability with responsible local sourcing.
- Ipê Hardwood Decking: Carpintaria Santa Luzia's native hardwood decking offers strength and longevity; the black stain contrasts with the forest.
- Eco Roof System: Onduvilla roofing by Onduline (cellulose and bitumen) provides thermal performance, lightness, and ease of remote installation.
Operational Emissions / Energy
Operational Carbon Reduction:
- Zero Operational Energy Consumption: Off-grid systems (likely solar-powered) result in no ongoing carbon emissions from building operation.
Service and maintenance emissions
The Cabana Zero project prioritizes minimizing its environmental footprint throughout its lifecycle, from construction to long-term presence. This is achieved through a combination of thoughtful strategies:
Low-Impact Construction Process:
- Modular System: Minimizes on-site interventions and disturbance to the environment.
- Dry Assembly Techniques: Eliminates water use during construction.
- Off-Grid Autonomy: Operates independently of electrical infrastructure.
- Ecological Sanitation: Utilizes composting toilets and banana circles for greywater treatment.
- Minimal Scale: Enables efficient material and resource use, reducing embodied energy and construction waste.
Passive Thermal Control:
- Cross-Ventilation: Maximizes natural airflow for cooling.
- Layered Insulation: Employs recycled PET fiber for effective thermal regulation.
- Double-Roof System: Creates a thermal buffer zone to mitigate heat gain.
Material Innovations for Circularity:
- Structural Wood Reuse: Reclaimed wood from a pre-existing on-site structure forms the primary frame and roof, embodying circular practices and reducing reliance on new resources. New wood used is either recycled or FSC-certified, treated with natural stains.
- Durable and Low-Maintenance Cladding: Pressure-treated pine ensures longevity with minimal upkeep.
- Bolted Assembly: All components are assembled using bolted metal inserts, avoiding chemical adhesives and concrete-intensive methods, facilitating future disassembly and relocation.
Afterlife
Adaptive reuse and circular design were fundamental principles of the project. The prototype was designed as a replicable system that can be assembled in remote forest locations with minimal environmental impact and disassembled if necessary. The modular frame allows the cabins to be relocated or reconfigured to meet future programmatic needs. Additionally, the reuse of on-site materials and the use of dry construction methods align with the goals of a circular economy, making the cabins both ecologically responsible and operationally flexible.
Key products in low carbon design
