A group of researchers from Indian Institute of Technology, Hyderabad (IIT-H) and KIIT school of architecture have designed a bio-brick from agricultural waste, reports The Hindu.

The bricks can help in better waste management on one hand, while on the other it will promote eco-friendly and sustainable building material.

The research team included Ar. Priyabrata Rautray, a Ph.D scholar from Design Department of IIT-H, and Ar. Avik Roy, assistant professor at KIIT School of Architecture.

At Rural Innovators’ Start-Up Conclave-2019 organised by the National Institute of Rural Development and Panchayati Raj (NIRDPR), Hyderabad, the research project had received a Special Recognition Trophy for sustainable housing.

“About 22% of India’s total annual CO2 emissions is by the construction sector. Clay bricks, for example, not only use up fertile topsoil, but their manufacturing process also emits significant amounts of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere.”

“Recognising this problem, the Building Materials and Technology Promotion Council (BMTPC) was set up in the 1990’s by the Central government to develop eco-friendly and energy-efficient building material, providing impetus to re-purposing agricultural and industrial waste into construction material,” said Ar. Priyabrata Rautray.

Although these bio-bricks are not as strong as burnt clay bricks and cannot be used directly to build load-bearing structures, they can be used in low-cost housing with combination of wooden or metal structural framework.

Besides, these bricks provide good insulation to heat and sound and help in maintaining humidity of the buildings, making these houses suitable for hot-humid climate like India.