Building for a Resilient Future: How to Build Carbon Negative Housing (SOCAN April General Meeting)

About the event

Join us for an engaging overview of natural and biobased wall systems—an emerging approach to building that aligns climate responsibility with performance and design. This session will introduce what we mean by “natural” or “biobased” construction, grounding the conversation in materials sourced from renewable, plant-based systems that actively store carbon rather than emit it. We’ll explore the practical benefits of these materials, from improved indoor air quality to long-term carbon sequestration, and examine how they compare to conventional “green building” approaches that often reduce harm, but stop short of reversing it.

Importantly, this event will also address one of the most pressing concerns in our region: fire resilience. Through real-world case studies, we’ll highlight how certain natural wall systems perform under fire conditions, challenging common assumptions and offering pathways toward safer, more climate-aligned construction. Alongside performance, we’ll showcase the wide aesthetic range these materials can achieve—demonstrating that sustainability does not require compromise in design. Whether you’re a builder, designer, policymaker, or community member, this conversation connects practical solutions with the broader goal of transforming how—and why—we build.