Agricultural Waste Transforms into Architecture Across India and SWANA

In India and the SWANA area, by-products from agriculture, such as rice husks, coconut fibers, sugarcane bagasse, and date palm waste, are finding new life in construction. These materials are used for insulation, composite panels, and as alternatives to cement. India generates hundreds of millions of tonnes of crop waste each year, much of which used to be thrown away or burned. For example, rice husk ash can enhance cement, while bagasse fibers become boards, and coconut fibers serve as insulation and geotextiles. Kerala's coir industry exemplifies a robust system for creating construction materials. Architect Mae-ling Lokko points out that materials' journey begins with their growth. This article is backed by VELUX, which will introduce the Re:Living project at the UIA 2026 World Congress of Architects in Barcelona.