This paper examines whether the use of alternative construction methods, and in particular the use of straw in the construction sector as a basic material, is able to effectively meet the needs of home users and at the same time limit the overall Carbon footprint it produces.
The reference building is a house in the area of Agria, Volos, built according to the principles of physical construction. The essay includes the calculation of the total carbon dioxide produced by the extraction of the materials that it is made from, until the end of its life cycle. Then the calculations are repeated, replacing the natural materials of the house with conventional building materials like the other houses in the area.
The calculations are divided into four categories - stages of life of the house: The embodied carbon of the construction materials. The carbon dioxide produced for the operation of the house, like heating, cooling and hot water. The carbon dioxide produced during the maintenance of the house and finally the carbon dioxide produced at the end of its life stage, with the demolition and disposal-recycling of its materials. In addition, the lifespan of each house is assumed to be fifty years. After that, follows the results from the calculations and their comparison.
The question that arises is whether the sum of the carbon dioxide emitted for all the above stages will be greater for the house made from alternative building materials or for the house made from conventional materials.
