Lignin is the most abundant plant-derived molecule after cellulose. Through paper production, more than 100 tons are produced globally. However, its complex chemical structure and aging pulping infrastructure have limited its use as a building material. Drawing on recent chemical engineering research proposing scalable lignin-based alternatives to formaldehyde-containing epoxies, Ligno-House introduces a new method of structurally insulated panel (SIP) construction. The system uses a composite of discarded wood chips, tree resin, and aminated lignin bio-epoxy to create a structural, weatherproof cavity infill. The proposal also advances a speculative urbanism that more closely integrates municipal waste streams with building production, envisioning a future where we activate the potential for buildings to act as carbon sinks through strategic reuse.
