Founded in 2012, BioMason is developing a formula to ''grow'' bricks with microorganisms and chemical treatments instead of traditional, kiln-fired methods. Based on a study of coral structures, the process creates cementitious material in ambient sea temperatures with low energy and material inputs, eliminating CO2 emissions from production.

Ginger Dosier's green business plan for a CO2-free brick production process recently earned top honors, and €500,000 ($669,000 U.S.), at the Postcode Lottery Green Challenge 2013 final in Amsterdam.

Dosier's North Carolina-based firm, BioMason, ''grows'' bricks from a sand substrate and liquid cement that includes bacteria to provide an environment for crystals to form. Sources of nitrogen and calcium, food for the bacteria and water are incorporated into the cement, which is placed over a bed of sand in a mold and repeatedly added over five days until a solid material has formed. Once the food and water source run out, the bacteria die. The irrigation solution is then recycled in a closed loop system to save water resources and recapture a byproduct of the bacteria as a natural fertilizer.

The cementation process is achieved in ambient temperatures, and the manufacturing process produces considerably less greenhouse gas emissions compared to traditional, kiln-fired clay bricks.

''With the prize money we will be able to achieve significant results faster and launch our sustainable bricks on a large scale,'' Dosier said. ''This is a huge encouragement.''

A hardened BioMason brick requires less than five days to form, and is comparable in cost and performance to traditional clay masonry.