The Monomoy Company has set up plant-based.space, a platform for advancing bio-based buildings. We educate and facilitate projects to unlock scalable alternatives to current building practices. Our focus is simple: help create commercially attractive assets that dramatically lower environmental impacts while enhancing long-term value.

A plant-based approach delivers low impact, high quality spaces. It promotes carbon positive outcomes, human health & wellbeing, and material circularity. Our work is driven by business imperatives. It will be impossible to meet future regulations and market expectations without buildings heavily made of —  and modelled on — nature.

WHY PLANT-BASED?

“Plant-based” offerings have been created by companies to develop entirely new, highly attractive product lines. At a time when net zero carbon and healthy indoor environments are atop occupier lists, buildings that convey these credentials have a winning strategy.

As we enter a period defined by “zero” (carbon, waste, plastics, toxins … you name it, the list is only going to grow), we think nature sets the example. What plants do — remove carbon, detoxify the environment, consume water carefully, nourish human health, and biodegrade without harm — is a masterclass in the future of regenerative construction and real estate.

MAINSTREAMING

Several countries have already adopted new regulations that require more plant-based materials in buildings. Many more are expected to follow. A growing number of jurisdictions have binding regulations, procurement mandates, embodied-carbon laws, or public-sector requirements that effectively require or strongly favor bio-based materials in certain projects.

Conventional construction product manufacturers are making moves in this space. There is an expectation that plant-based products will follow the trajectory found in other industries.

We believe that a plant-based approach is the next idea in real estate to move from a niche concept to a mainstream value-creating differential.