Performance of Biomaterials in Buildings: A Scoping Review of the Recent Literature

In order to reduce the effect of climate change on our environment, multiple energy efficient solutions have been developed in all energy-consuming sectors around the world, especially the building sector. Improving the envelope performance of our buildings with bio-based construction materials has been proven to be an effective way of improving the thermal comfort, acoustic insulation capacity and reducing the cooling and heating loads of buildings. The objective of this paper is to present a review of the recent biomaterials that have been developed and proposed in literature as potential construction and insulation materials for buildings, like concrete reinforced with natural fibers (straw, hemp, date palm wood alfa, cellulose…) and biobased phase change materials. Their hygrothermal performance was discussed detailing the effect of their porous aspect on their density, thermal conductivity, water vapor absorption, diffusion, thermal resistance and hygric buffering capacity. Furthermore, their acoustic insulation potential and actual challenges compared to conventional materials were discussed.