Eight years ago, Hawai‘i Off Grid architect David Sellers noticed that the skip bins near his workplace were brimming with surfboard foam offcuts from local shapers that were now destined for landfill. Realising this waste had potential for something greater, Sellers came up with the idea of using it to build homes.  

Now, the first house made entirely from “surf blocks” is nearly complete and Hawai‘i Off Grid hopes it will set a new benchmark for eco-friendly building practices. The firm takes discarded  foam offcuts created during the surfboard shaping process, combines this with waste polystyrene, and transforms the materials into insulated composite concrete forms (ICCFs) for construction. While the materials used are lightweight, they still offer excellent insulation and durability, addressing both environmental and practical needs. 

Homes built with “surf blocks” are well-suited to the island’s unique climate challenges and are designed to withstand extreme conditions. These fire-resistant, termite-proof building blocks offer better insulation than traditional concrete and are being viewed as especially valuable in the wake of the devastating 2023 Maui fires, as the need for fire-resistant housing has become increasingly urgent.  

Hawai‘i Off Grid is already using the blocks to build homes in the Lahaina fire zone, where many structures were destroyed in the recent disaster. Replacing the concrete traditionally used to build homes with the ICCFs means less concrete is required, making the homes both more sustainable and cost-effective.  

Hawai‘i is currently facing a severe housing shortage, exacerbated by high construction costs and limited available land. The state also struggles with the challenge of managing waste, particularly polystyrene, which comes from various sources including packaging and household appliances. By using this material to create construction blocks, the firm helps reduce waste and provide affordable, environmentally friendly housing. 

The firm also partners with local businesses to collect foam from packaging materials, further reducing the amount of waste sent to landfills. With the demand for housing on the rise and the pressure to manage waste increasing, projects like this play an important role in shaping a more sustainable future for Hawai‘i. 

To learn more about the firm's community-based projects, visit their website here.

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