2024-12-04T03:32:02-05:00 https://archinect.com/news/article/150311676/design-team-develops-bio-glass-cladding-tiles-made-from-mussel-shells Nathaniel Bahadursingh 2022-05-31T20:27:00-04:00 >2022-06-01T13:41:05-04:00 <img src="https://archinect.gumlet.io/uploads/9f/9ffe2611e0131a139ba26c13bbf58736.jpeg?fit=crop&auto=compress%2Cformat&enlarge=true&w=1200" border="0" /><p>London-based architecture studio <a href="https://archinect.com/bureaudechange" target="_blank">Bureau de Change</a> and <a href="https://www.lulu-harrison.com/" target="_blank">Lulu Harrison</a>, a postgraduate student in <a href="https://archinect.com/schools/cover/7507145/central-saint-martins" target="_blank">Central Saint Martins</a>' Material Futures program, have collaborated to create a series of cladding tiles made from glass using mussel shells. Their work explores alternatives to the processed and unsustainable materials used in traditional glass production that also prioritizes the use of locally-sourced materials.</p> <p>The bio-glass, named Thames Glass, is made from a mixture of the ground-up shells of quagga mussels, sand, and waste wood ash. These invasive mussel species often clog the transfer tunnels used by water and wastewater services company Thames Water. Rather than being removed and sent to a landfill, Harrison developed an eco-sensitive solution by using the shells as a raw material to produce this unique kind of glass.</p> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CddAJWjMLtF/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank"> View this post on Instagram </a><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CddAJWjMLtF/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank">A post shared by Bureau de Change Architects (@bureaudechange_architects)</a><br><p>The <a href="https://archinect.com/news/tag/403660/biodesign" target="_blank">biomaterial</a> is entirely handmade, making e...</p>