Botanicrete and Circular Sea Collection by Mineral Fox have been highly commended at the Sustainability Awards 2024 in the Green Building Material category, and the team sits down with Architecture & Design to discuss this accolade.

Mineral Fox is an Australian company dedicated to creating natural, sustainable wall finishes that foster a connection to nature within built environments. Their offerings include mineral-based coatings suitable for various applications, such as wet areas, indoor spaces, and outdoor environments.

A standout product from Mineral Fox is Botanicrete, a plant-based wall finish designed to provide a smooth, stone-like surface that is both tactile and organic. This finish is particularly well-suited for material-focused architecture and design, offering a distinctive and sustainable alternative that imbues spaces with a unique, evolving character.

Mineral Fox's Circular Sea Collection is an innovative range of architectural finishes crafted from recycled oyster shells, diverting significant amounts of shell waste from landfills. This collection offers diverse textures and colours, including terrazzo, ombre, rammed earth, and exposed aggregate finishes, providing architects and designers with versatile, sustainable options.

Architecture & Design: Why do you think you were honoured for your entry?

Mineral Fox: Because we are creating first-of-their kind wall coatings that are not only natural, but that store carbon and also utlise circular materials like restaurant shell waste to create unique and durable architectural coatings.

What did your entry add to the body of knowledge of sustainable design?

That it’s possible to replace virgin sand aggregates with recycled alternatives such as shell waste. Oyster shells and limestone both contain 96% calcium carbonate.

Has your entry influenced the way you will design buildings in the future?

Yes, we will continue to innovate with circular materials and bio-based materials to create wall finishes that are not only uniquely beautiful, but that help buildings become carbon-positive (storing more carbon than they produce).

This category is sponsored by Cosentino.

Clémence Carayol

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