# Sustainable Dunescapes Magnus Larsson Plans to Re-Landscape the Sahara By Marissa Brassfield | Published 2009-05-02 | Eco Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/sustainable-dunescapes-magnus-larsson-plans-to-re-landscape-the-sahara References: [bldgblog.blogspot](http://bldgblog.blogspot.com/2009/04/sandstone.html) & [holcimfoundation.org](http://www.holcimfoundation.org/T865/A08AMng11.htm) Magnus Larsson has an ambitious plan to re-landscape the Sahara Desert--and do so sustainably. The images in the gallery above depict Larsson's vision of a 6,000-km green wall made of sandstone, which would provide shelter and protection--as well as hedge against the spread of the desert. What's fascinating about Magnus Larsson's idea is that it is completely sustainable. All the Sahara architecture needs is *bacillus pasteurii*, a microorganism that solidifies [loose sand into sandstone](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/artificial-sand). Magnus Larsson's idea won first prize at the Holcim Foundation's Awards for Sustainable Construction. Check out more photos from the project [here](http://www.flickr.com/photos/bldgblog/sets/72157612777908074/detail/). ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 2.6/10 - Popularity: 56% | Activity: 15% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America, Europe, Africa ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Eco](https://www.trendhunter.com/eco) ## Key Themes ### What's Driving This Trend - **Sustainable-landscaping:** Opportunity for companies to explore environmentally-conscious methods for landscaping and outdoor architecture. - **Desert-conservation:** Opportunity for companies to develop new technologies and methods for combating desertification and conserving desert ecosystems. - **Microbial-solidification:** Opportunity for companies to research and develop microbial-based solutions for solidifying loose sand into durable structures. ### Who This Affects Most - **Architecture:** Architecture companies can explore sustainable design techniques for outdoor environments and desert structures. - **Environmental-consulting:** There is opportunity for environmental consulting firms to work with cities and organizations to develop sustainable landscaping and desert conservation strategies. - **Biotech:** Biotech companies can research and develop microbial solutions for solidifying sand for use in construction and landscaping. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Resilient Concrete Sea Walls](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/breathing-sea-wall.md) - [Rain-Collecting Skyscrapers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/bpas-architects.md) - [Award-Winning Landscape Projects](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/landscape-intervention.md) - [Desert Cultural Landmarks](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/al-ain-museum.md) - [Sustainable Alien Planet Colonies](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/colony-concept.md) - [Water-Less Minimal Design Gardens](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/botnica.md) - [Climate-Awareness Soft Art Sculptures](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/dreamstones.md) - [Drought-Awareness Rug Designs](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/dryland-rug.md) - [Carbon-Negative Artificial Sand](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/artificial-sand.md)