The city of Puerto Madryn now has a new ordinance that promotes and regulates the construction using natural materials and principles of bioconstruction. After three years of joint work between institutions, entities, professionals, and the local Deliberative Council, the initiative was finally approved in the last regular session.
The promoters of the project, Verónica Borrell, Sabrina Hereñú, and Hernán Meternicht, highlighted the advantages of this type of construction. According to them, bioconstruction is based on the use of natural materials such as wood, earth, and plant fibers, which have a considerably lower environmental impact than industrial materials. This allows reducing the carbon footprint and contributing to environmental care.
Additionally, they emphasized that these constructions promote superior human well-being, as the materials do not contain toxins, improve indoor air quality, and offer excellent thermal and acoustic performance.
This results in more comfortable and efficient spaces that require less energy for air conditioning. Likewise, this type of construction supports the local economy by using traditional resources and construction techniques, contributing to preserving the cultural identity of the region.
## A regulation that opens doors to construction with natural materials
Borrell, a graduate in Biological Sciences, emphasized the importance of the new regulation: “This ordinance allows neighbors to access healthier homes, built with natural materials and regulated by professionals. Now, architects and construction managers will be able to sign plans and regulate these constructions before the municipality.”
Hereñú explained that the new regulation not only covers new constructions but also the possibility of expanding or regularizing existing homes made with natural materials, such as mud. “In Madryn, there are many houses built this way, and the ordinance will formalize them and improve their safety and habitability,” added the architect.
## A collective effort and a greater goal
The project had the support of various organizations such as Red Protierra, the College of Architects of Chubut (CACH), the Argentine Federation of Architects (FADEA), and professionals such as Mercedes Pérez Michelena, Mariana Vega, and María Rosa Mandrini, from CEVE-Conicet Córdoba.
The promoters emphasized that bioconstruction does not seek to compete with conventional methods but to add sustainable alternatives. “It’s a combination; industrialized materials are not excluded but integrated into bioconstruction solutions,” they explained.
To promote this practice, a meeting was held over the weekend in the agroecology area of the National University of Patagonia San Juan Bosco, with the aim of disseminating knowledge and consolidating this trend in the city and the region.
## Towards a provincial law
The project leaders pointed out that the next step is to move towards a provincial bioconstruction law, such as the one already existing in Río Negro. Several localities in Chubut, such as Trevelin, Rawson, and Esquel, have similar regulations, which would allow unifying criteria and facilitating implementation throughout the province.
With this new ordinance, Puerto Madryn positions itself as a reference in the adoption of sustainable practices, promoting architecture that respects the environment, strengthens the local economy, and improves the quality of life of its inhabitants.
## Homes with sustainable materials: the new ecological bricks
There are more and more people choosing to build their homes with sustainable materials, not only for their benefits to the planet but also for their cost, as they are less expensive than traditional ones.
Faced with this new initiative, the Cordoba-based startup EcoMateriales decided to revolutionize construction with bricks. For this, they created ecological bricks that aim to tackle two current issues: the accumulation of plastic waste and the lack of affordable housing.
The benefits of these bricks lie in their durability, fire resistance, and price, as they are much more accessible than normal bricks. These advantages represent a significant step for the environment and the economy of the residents, who can build their homes without a significant financial burden.
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