Blocking Brick: The Sustainable Future of Brick Production

The project is based on a transformation of Brick kilns into a sustainable green industry. The proposed "Hollow Block Industry" will reduce the carbon footprint in construction sector, which is the highest carbon emission sector in the world.
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Designer(s) : Nayem Ahasan Srijon

University : Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET)

Tutor(s) : Atiqur Rahman & Gourab Kundu

Project Description

With over 7,000 kilns, the brick manufacturing industry is the largest building material industry in Bangladesh. Unfortunately, more than half the kilns are illegal because of many adverse consequences, such as dust and air pollution, heat radiation, deforestation, and agricultural degradation for topsoil excavation. Moreover, the working conditions in these kilns are deplorable, leading to health problems for workers and nearby communities. In response to these challenges, the government has enforced a complete ban on brick kilns by 2025, necessitating the development of a sustainable alternative industry. Entitled “BLOCKING BRICK: The Sustainable Future of Brick Production,” the project seeks a sustainable alternative material for burned brick.

After a comprehensive investigation, the proposed alternative solution has been to establish the “Hollow Concrete Block Industry” to replace the existing brick kilns. This sustainable industry would utilize a mix of 10% cement and river-dredged soil to manufacture the hollow concrete blocks. This alternative approach will effectively address three crucial issues: river navigability, topsoil, and the environment. So, the adverse impacts of brick kilns will be eliminated, paving the way for a more sustainable environmental future.

To determine the ideal location, various factors, such as the location of existing brick kilns nationwide, the presence of industrial zones, the abundance of riverbed silt, the availability of local workforce, and future stakeholder demand, have been considered. After analyzing these factors, the peripheral Dhaka region has been considered the prime location. Dhaka has one of the lowest AQI indexes worldwide for locating over half of these brick kilns in the country due to rapid urbanization. The site is Shimulia, on the northeast periphery of Dhaka, near the Shitalakhya River. The river serves as an abundant source of riverbed silt. Additionally, the area has an anticipated future demand for the new master plan of the Purbachal model town, which is situated along the banks of the Shitalakhya River. There is a cluster of five brick kilns in a 45-acre site area.

Hollow blocks, as a sustainable building material, offer year-round production with numerous benefits. It has embodied energy (0.59 MJ/kg), eight times less than that of traditional burned brick (4.76 MJ/kg). Less dead load, enhanced thermal insulation, precise sizing, and flexibility for custom shapes position them as a desirable alternative. The project aims for not only an eco-friendly alternative building material but also the design of a sustainable factory; the factory itself is made of hollow blocks as a building material. Different construction methods for hollow block slabs, columns, facades, partition walls, and screening have been explored to showcase the versatility of hollow blocks. Moreover, the factory layout ensures a better working environment, fire safety, and basic worker facilities following LEED v.4.1. Regarding the master plan, the central zone is dedicated to training, exhibition, and research centers, which will further develop the material properties. Additionally, the transformation of the 50-foot buffer zone of Shitalakhya River Bank into a green space will positively impact the landscape and riverfront and contribute to the overall aesthetic and ecological enhancement of the area. This transformative project holds great promise for a greener and more sustainable future for our country.