Stephen Lamb is Research & Development Lead of the Light House Program, an Expanded Public Works Program funded by the South African Government.

He is a designer and environmental activist working primarily in the sustainable construction sector.

The Light House Program explores and develops regenerative building technologies and construction methods using alternative bio-based aggregates and binders. An emphasis is placed on utilizing the biomass of woody invading alien plant species as substitutes to traditional concrete aggregates. In addition to furthering the associated carbon storage opportunities, the program also aims to maximize localized job creation opportunities through the harvesting of invading alien plant species and the development of low-tech, labor intensive construction practices for local communities.

Light House Program initiatives include the construction of environmental education centers; staff accommodation units, tourist lodges and rangers’ units in wilderness protected areas; affordable housing models supporting the upgrade of informal settlements, construction of classroom units and replacement of pit toilets in rural communities in Southern Africa.

He was co-designer with Andrew Lord and built The Pavilion of Light (2012), the entrance pavilion to the 9th Shanghai Biennale; the Green-Goal Pavilion (2010) in Cape Town for the FIFA World Cup; and Climate Smart Pavilion (2011) in Durban for COP 17, winning awards for “Best Sustainable Design” and “Best Outdoor Pavilion”. He also led the design and construction of the Hoerikwaggo Table Mountain Trail and tented camps for South African National Parks.

Stephen Lamb has worked for various NGOs and national government departments for over 20 years. He was designer and founder of Touching Earth Lightly, based in Cape Town, South Africa.

He is based at the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (ETH Zurich) where he collaborates with the Chair of Sustainable Construction. He was a speaker at the seminar “Regenerative Technologies: Towards the Sustainable Development Goals” hosted by ETH Zurich.

Stephen Lamb was a workshop presenter at the 6th International LafargeHolcim Forum for Sustainable Construction in Cairo, April 4-6, 2019.