In a recent article, Metropolis Magazine explored advancements in concrete, including SOM’s collaboration with Prometheus Materials to develop the Bio-Block—a zero-carbon, algae-based alternative. The material was featured in the Bio-Block Spiral installation at the 2023 Chicago Architecture Biennial, representing a significant step toward more sustainable construction practices.
“Concrete is responsible for over 7 percent of global carbon dioxide emissions, nearly all of that coming from the built environment,” wrote Brian Libby for Metropolis. The Bio-Block addresses this challenge by achieving compressive strengths comparable to conventional concrete while offering additional benefits, such as enhanced sound dampening and reduced weight.
The Bio-Block shows how reimagining traditional materials can reduce embodied carbon, improve performance, and drive sustainable design on a global scale. “When used in skyscrapers, Bio-Block has a cascading effect—lighter blocks mean smaller beams, smaller foundations, and more efficient structural systems,” said SOM Design Partner Scott Duncan.
