“Surf Blocks” are fire-resistant, termite-proof, and close the loop on mountains of waste from the state’s beloved sport.
Housing in Hawai‘i is in short supply. So is space for landfills. But one Hawaiian architecture firm is aiming to change that, transforming polystyrene foam offcuts from surfboard manufacturing into a new building material similar in function to cinder blocks.
According to Honolulu Civil Beat, however, Surf Blocks’ performance blows cinder blocks out of the water. Developed by architecture firm Off Grid, they’re purportedly cheaper and more insulating as well as being termite and fire-resistant — a critical feature in the wake of Maui’s devastating fires. They also use about a third of the concrete — a carbon-intensive material — that cinder blocks do.
“The state has weighed several options to try to resolve chronic housing issues while also contending with climate change, marked in recent years by destructive weather events including the 2023 Maui fires. Construction materials are among the pain points, given that they are predominantly produced elsewhere, shipped to Hawaiʻi and sold here at a premium,” writes Thomas Heaton. At the same time, the islands’ limited landfills struggle to cope with large amounts of foam waste that is light, but space-intensive.
See pictures of the first home being built exclusively with Surf Blocks and read more below.
FULL STORY: Riding A Wave: Surfboard Waste Turned Into Building Blocks For New Homes
U.S. Home Construction Costs Are Higher Than Ever
With demand soaring and materials in short supply, the cost of building a home has risen sharply in the last year.
Austin’s Building Boom Not Reaching Lowest-Income Families
Despite having the highest rate of affordable housing construction in the nation, Austin is still underproducing housing for the neediest households.
‘Quality Work, Fast’: NC Gears up for Homebuilding After Helene, Trying to Avoid Past Pitfalls
The state will field bids to demolish, repair and rebuild homes in the mountains. After struggles in eastern NC, officials aim to chart a different course.
Montreal Mall to Become 6,000 Housing Units
Place Versailles will be transformed into a mixed-use complex over the next 25 years.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
California High-Speed Rail's Plan to Right Itself
The railroad's new CEO thinks he can get the project back on track. The stars will need to align this summer.
Tenant Advocates: Rent Gouging Rampant After LA Wildfires
The Rent Brigade says it's found evidence of thousands of likely instances of rent gouging. In some cases, the landlords accused of exploiting the fires had made campaign donations to those responsible for enforcement.
Seattle’s Upzoning Plan is Ambitious, Light on Details
The city passed a ‘bare-bones’ framework to comply with state housing laws that paves the way for more middle housing, but the debate over how and where to build is just getting started.
DOJ Seeks to End USDOT Affirmative Action Program
The Disadvantaged Business Enterprise Program encouraged contracting with minority- and women-owned businesses in the transportation sector, where these groups are vastly underrepresented.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
Transportation Research & Education Center (TREC) at Portland State University
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
Municipality of Princeton (NJ)
Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada