EkoBrik is an innovative green building material composed of waste and natural materials, designed to serve as the primary construction material for load-bearing and retaining walls. It has been successfully utilized in the EarthBnB Willunga project, a self-sufficient, off-grid BnB that exemplifies sustainable living and resilience against bushfires. Earthship Eco Homes Pty Ltd is leading the charge in adopting EkoBrik and this sustainable building style across Australia, particularly in residential and tourism projects.

EkoBrik efficiently upcycles waste car tyres through a straightforward process—either manual or mechanized—by filling them with low-carbon materials such as onsite earth, gravel, crushed concrete, or bricks. This method not only minimizes landfill waste but also promotes ecological benefits by reducing the need for new materials. Waste carpet is used as a liner to contain the filling material within the tyre, further repurposing materials that would otherwise contribute to environmental waste.

The cylindrical bricks, formed by the tyres, are laid in a running bond and can be finished with a variety of renders, including cement-based, lime-based, or earth-based options. The earth-based render, in particular, is highly sustainable due to its minimal embodied energy. This render protects the tyres, preserving them indefinitely while offering a range of color and finish options to suit different aesthetic preferences.

One of the standout features of EkoBrik is that the tyres used do not require any processing or modification—no cutting, gluing, or machining is necessary. The simple construction method involves lining the tyre with waste carpet and filling it with abundant waste products from construction or demolition sites, resulting in a “brick” with very low embodied energy.

EkoBrik walls are integral to the building’s design, enabling the construction of low-carbon retaining walls that can be backfilled with earth, another material with low embodied energy. This construction method offers the benefits of an earth-sheltered home, including energy-efficient thermal stability, sound insulation, and resilience to bushfires and storms. Unlike conventional retaining walls, which often rely on carbon-intensive materials like reinforced concrete, EkoBrik offers a sustainable alternative that mitigates environmental impact and simplifies end-of-life disposal.

Additionally, EkoBrik retaining walls can serve as attractive landscaping features, further demonstrating the versatility and sustainability of this innovative building material. EkoBrik represents a significant step forward in eco-friendly construction, offering a practical and scalable solution for sustainable building practices.

Photography by Elliott Clarke, Martin Freney