ABSTRACT
Until recently, most examples of low-impact construction were old, small-scale, rural and self-built. They were largely dismissed as irrelevant to modernity, large projects and urban design. However, historically many low-impact materials were used on a larger scale. Until the industrial revolution there was only a limited pallette of materials available and these were all of natural origin. If the materials are used, and buildings maintained appropriately, then this ensures both long life and eventual safe disposal or recycling. Technical advances and improved information should mean that we are better positioned to use them than before, but, with fossil fuel cheap and plentiful, research emphasis has been on new manufactured materials rather than on better use of existing ones. With rising concerns about human and environmental health there is enhanced interest in what low-impact materials can deliver.
