Sustainable Homes: How Algae, Oyster Shells, and Fungi Are Revolutionising Aussie Construction

Did you know the buildings and construction sector is the largest source of greenhouse gas emissions? It accounts for a staggering 37% of global emissions — that’s more than any other industry.

Move over concrete jungles, Australia is leading the way for an eco-revolution in the construction world! From oyster shell walls to bricks made from algae (yes, really), a wave of innovation could transform how we build—and it’s looking very green.

Let’s take a peek at the fascinating materials you might live in one day.

1. Oyster Shells Find a Second Life

Australia’s love affair with seafood comes at a cost—more than 10 million tonnes of oyster shells get tossed into landfill every year. But now, architects are finding clever new ways to give these shells a second shot at life.

Australian company Mineral Fox is turning oyster shells donated by restaurants into renders for interior walls. The result: textured, terrazzo-like finishes that breathe beauty and sustainability. Fun Fact: An oyster shell contains about 12% carbon which is locked into the walls once turned into renders. Mineral Fox's oyster shell render has been used in architectural firm Arup’s Brisbane office and other commercial and residential sites in Sydney.

Image: Mineral Fox CEO & founder Karmin Kenny with Oyster Shells used to make render 

2. Algae: Not Just Pond Goo Anymore

If someone told you that a material used to make a house brick could capture CO₂ as it grew, you might think they’d had too much kombucha. But that’s exactly what researchers are doing with micro-algae —an eco-friendly biomaterial that soaks up carbon while growing and locks it away once made into building blocks. Unlike traditional cement-based bricks, which are responsible for about 8% of global emissions...

At Queensland University of Technology, Associate Professor Müge Belek Fialho Teixeira and her team have 3D-printed algae-based breeze blocks called RoboBlox. Terracotta-toned and beautifully curved, these bespoke blocks debuted at a major construction expo in 2024. While production is paused as they look for industry partners, RoboBlox is already pointing the way to a greener future for building.

Meanwhile, Dr Kate Scardifield and her team at the University of Technology Sydney have taken algae biomass and mixed it with discarded oyster shells from NSW’s seafood industry. The result? A sea-green, concrete-like brick that could potentially be used for sheeting, cladding, interior tiles, and acoustic panelling.

3. Building Smarter with Fungi Fibres

When you think fungi, you might picture mushrooms on your plate. But these incredible organisms are capable of so much more. In fact, Associate Professor Rosangela Tenorio and her students at the University of Western Australia have harnessed the power of bamboo and mycelium (the root-like fibers of fungi) to create innovative panels for buildings and furniture.

And with natural waterproofing, they can be used outside too. Tenorio has taken her fungal innovation overseas to Timor-Leste, Brazil and Indonesia where she’s built prototype structures using these panels. It’s a cool step towards greener, smarter buildings.

Image: Associate Professor Rosangela Tenorio with mycelium panels

Why Should We Care?

Here’s the big picture: buildings contribute nearly 40% of global carbon emissions—and that’s just from the materials used and the energy it takes to run them. But when homes are built with algae that capture CO₂, oyster shells that keep waste out of landfills and walls built from fungi, we’re making real climate sense. 

This fresh take on construction isn’t just a passing trend, these premium, sustainable materials are leading the way in high-performance, climate-conscious design.

Here’s to Homes With a Natural Heart

These incredible Aussie innovations are proof that sustainable design is bursting with creativity, beauty, and possibility. From algae bricks to reimagined oyster shells, the future of building is smarter, cleaner, and bursting with heart.

With every step forward, we’re getting closer to building a future where homes tread lighter. It’s inspiring, it’s exciting—and it’s only just the beginning.

If you loved this story, there’s plenty more where that came from right here!

Lots of love,
Ellie