The Life Reusing Posidonia/IBAVI project stands at the forefront of sustainable architecture and environmental conservation, showcasing a remarkable innovation in the use of recycled construction materials and reclaimed wood from the Mediterranean seagrass Posidonia oceanica. The initiative, which is a manifestation of the commitment to linking heritage, architecture, and climate change, adopts a cultural approach to contemporary research for sustainable solutions (Rohe, 2023).

This pioneering effort is largely attributed to Life Reusing Posidonia, a non-profit organization dedicated to sustainable development, in partnership with the Balearic Institute of Housing (IBAVI) and supported by the Dirección General de Medio Natural, Educación Ambiental y Cambio Climático, which spearheads climate action and monitoring greenhouse gas emissions reduction commitments. The project champions the use of Posidonia oceanica, a seagrass indigenous to the Mediterranean, to create eco-responsible, energy-efficient structures, a novel practice in the construction industry.

Located in the heart of the Balearic Islands, the initiative leverages the abundant presence of Posidonia oceanica, tapping into the region’s cultural heritage and the synergy with local organizations, thereby positioning the islands as a showpiece of sustainable practices for a worldwide audience. In this environment, Posidonia oceanica, an often-neglected resource, gains newfound value through its integration into living spaces that celebrate sustainability and architectural history.

In the context of Canford Heath in Poole, relocating the Life Reusing Posidonia/IBAVI project introduces a complex set of challenges and opportunities. This exploration will delve into the intricacies of transplanting such an initiative to a new location, highlighting the unique challenges this endeavor might face, as well as the significant advantages it could introduce.

The potential relocation of the Life Reusing Posidonia/IBAVI project to Canford Heath compels us to reexamine housing models and their influence on urban design, especially in light of questions concerning urban density, the development at the edge of the city, and the broader British housing situation. This reflection will include a review of historical precedents within the Bournemouth and Poole region to evaluate the degree to which the proposed project either mirrors or reinterprets conventional strategies for managing density and residential development at the city’s fringe.
now write the next section of this essay using this as a template Context (400-450 words)
Here, you will relate the history of the project, the general premises of the design, and how it
came into being. Cover the following points:
✓ Provide brief information about the project’s architects / designers and their professional
trajectory. What point of their career does this project represent?
✓ Does the project relate to any similar ones they produced around the same time or in other
periods of their professional activity?
✓ Who were the clients and what were their aspirations regarding this building scheme?
What were the prerequisites of the brief? Was the scheme part of a public housing program
and, if so, what were the program’s principal goals? How did the project eventually fare in
relation to those goals?
✓ What were the characteristics of the social / economic / cultural era of the project? How
did the design react to those conditions? Provide information on any other relevant artistic
references of the time of the project’s creation. and using this as a draft. The Life Reusing Posidonia project, propelled by IBAVI in collaboration with the Balearic General Directorate of Energy and Climate Change at the CAIB, has garnered recognition and support, receiving a European grant of €754,012 from the LIFE + 12 program. This grant falls under the Environmental Governance category for Climate Change Adaptation Projects. The project’s core involves the construction of a prototype building comprising 14 social housing units in Formentera. The collaboration with the University of the Balearic Islands (UIB) aims to monitor and verify the effectiveness of the implemented solutions. The overarching goal is to provide verified data to European institutions for the formulation of future regulations aimed at reducing the environmental impact of the building sector.

The need to address carbon dioxide emissions generated during the life of buildings is widely acknowledged, constituting 36% of total emissions at the European level. This awareness is reflected in Directives such as 2002/91/EC and 2010/31/EU on the Energy Performance of Buildings. ‘in Spain, the construction industry
accounts for 17% of CO2 emissions, and worldwide, 5% of all emissions on Earth are generated by reinforced concrete, 6% by heating, 14% by transport, and yet there is no general debate on the importance of reducing CO2 emissions attributable to the materials used during the execution of construction work’ (LIFEREUSINGPOS IDONIA, 2018, p.13).

The prototype developed by the Life Reusing Posidonia project serves as a model for sustainable building systems at environmental, economic, and social levels. It sheds light on local, viable, yet endangered practices, particularly local green-production craft industries utilizing local materials. Despite challenges, these industries, often lacking eco-labels however allow for personal inspection of the manufacturing process, affirming the environmental value without external audits.

A remarkable aspect of the project is the incorporation of dry Posidonia Oceanica (Neptune grass), a Mediterranean seagrass, as thermal insulation. This traditional architectural practice not only promotes the use of a protected plant but also serves as a reminder that buildings are not isolated structures but integral parts of ecosystems.

The combination of local materials and environmentally certified imported materials offers a model that can reduce CO2 emissions by over 50% during construction works. This approach, applicable to both refurbishments and new buildings, is especially relevant for renovating historic city centers.

The Prototype aligns with energy efficiency objectives outlined in the 2020 climate and energy package(The 2020 climate & energy package stipulates that all public buildings must be Nearly zero-energy buil- dings by 31 December 2018), equivalent to an A energy rating for residential buildings in Spain, with a consumption of less than 15 kWh/m²/year. All project documentation is made freely accessible to encourage the development of projects with similar efficiency standards.

The Life Reusing Posidonia project is not merely a construction initiative; it represents a transformative approach to sustainable architecture. If applied universally, the project’s criteria could reshape the construction landscape, making it a positive force in combating the rise in the planet’s temperature.

The analogy of staked fig trees in Formentera serves as a metaphor for the project’s philosophy — ‘an economy
of means, which entails problem-solving using the minimum amount of resources’ (LIFEREUSINGPOS IDONIA, 2018, p.19). The stake-supported fig trees, thriving against sea breezes, exemplify a harmonious solution that not only addresses challenges but also provides shade and comfort. In a similar vein, the Life Reusing Posidonia project envisions sustainable solutions not as an end in itself but as tools to address environmental
challenges and create a more ecologically responsible built environment.