Researchers in Barcelona, Spain have developed a concrete that can grow organisms like moss and fungi. The concrete acts as soil for vegetation like moss and other plants able to grow and survive in drier conditions. The concrete is made of three layers that repel, store, and absorb water; the insid...

Researchers in Barcelona, Spain have developed a concrete that can grow organisms like moss and fungi.

The concrete acts as soil for vegetation like moss and other plants able to grow and survive in drier conditions.

The concrete is made of three layers that repel, store, and absorb water; the inside layer is waterproof to keep moisture out of the buildings, the middle layer stores water so that the plants can colonize in it, and the outside layer is a reverse-waterproofing material, which means that water can be absorbed but not escape.

There are several benefits to building with this concrete. It removes more CO2 out of the air than a forest with thousands of trees, which can help clear out air pollution, it regulates heat within buildings so there is less use of air conditioners and heaters, and, of course, it releases oxygen so people are breathing fresh, clean air, which can overall improve a person’s health and happiness.

Another perk of this “living concrete” is that the buildings are stunning and beautiful to look at and  add some greenery into areas that are unable to host much plant life like in major cities.