Bio-Bricks: A Sustainable Solution for Shading Retail Spaces
Bio-bricks not only help to reduce energy usage and costs but also create a more comfortable and inviting shopping environment.
For a unique and visually striking look, architecture studio FADAA, founded by Bisher Tabbaa, Sarah Hejazin and Qussai Yousef, used crushed shells to create bio-brick partitions in a store for a decor brand located in Aqaba, Jordan.
The resulting design is not only environmentally friendly but also adds a beautiful and natural touch to the space.
The D/O Aqaba retail space was designed for the local brand Decoration One and is a dynamic and adaptable showcase for the brand's beautifully crafted homeware and decorative pieces.
With a focus on artisanal techniques and locally sourced materials, Decoration One's products are truly one-of-a-kind and are perfectly displayed in this stunning and functional space.
To shield the interior from the intense southern sun, FADAA used a unique solution inspired by traditional Islamic mashrabiya screens: partitions made from stacked hollow rectangular bricks.
These bricks, however, are not just any bricks - they are made from the crushed shells of oysters, mussels, and clams, which are otherwise discarded as waste by seafood restaurants in the coastal city of Aqaba.
The shells are transformed into bio-based concrete that captures the carbon from the molluscs' calcium carbonate coverings, making the bricks not only visually appealing but a great carbon sequester and have formed a truly circular economy in the local area.
Using crushed shells from seafood restaurants as a key ingredient, the shells are mixed with other materials and pressed into moulds to form unique brick shapes.
Once dried and hardened, the bricks are then assembled into gridded screens that not only provide shade for the shop but also serve to divide and guide customers throughout the boutique.
The result is an aesthetic and practical design solution that enhances the overall look of the space.
Bisher Tabbaa, Sarah Hejazin and Qussai Yousef, the leading architects on the project said:
“Working alongside Decoration One's craftspeople, a materiality-driven approach created the concept of a flexible retail store that embraces craft and low-carbon materials.”
Decoration One's store is designed to feel like a healthy indoor environment, with lime-plastered walls and a selection of native plant species.
To accommodate the store's ever-changing collection, the layout can be easily modified with movable oak tables and adjustable sheer curtains.
In addition to the oak tables, the store also has tables made from locally sourced basalt and limestone, hand-made by skilled craftsmen.
These tables provide a stunning contrast to the wood furniture and offer alternative display options.
The store's curved sales counter is a work of art in itself, with bright and beautiful zellige ceramic tiles covering its surface.
FAADAA said,
“Embracing the craft nature of the project as well as economically supporting local industries, materials such as zellige and mother of pearl inlaying were used throughout the design.”
These bricks, made from a variety of natural compositions, are gaining popularity for their eco-friendliness.
Some examples include bricks made from mushroom mycelium, sugar cane, charcoal, and even human urine.
Over the past few years, various compositions of bio-bricks have been tested, making them a promising option for more environmentally conscious construction.
Will you make the eco switch?
Photographer: Bisher Tabbaa.
