Preserving environmental properties in paper-based architecture

The progressing environmental degradation and increasing ecological awareness of the society results in high demand for natural and environmentally-friendly building materials. One of these pro-ecological materials is paper - widely available, cheap and natural, but also significantly vulnerable to moisture, fire, and mechanical damage. To be used in the construction industry paper needs to be protected from various factors such as fire, mold, physical damages, and moisture. As preventing degradation is an action against the natural process, protective methods, such as impregnation or lamination, are often conflicted with the rules of ecology and circular economy. Moreover, paper-based product can differ significantly in their environmental impact, depending on their structure and type of fibers used. The aim of this article is to present factors influencing the environmental impact of paper-based structures and formulate guidelines and suggestions for more environmentally-conscious design with this material, with a particular focus on building envelopes.