Thinking and Building with Natural Fibers [EN]

CONTENT

This one-week seminar in the Atelier PopUP offers a material-based approach to architecture and construction.
The focus of the seminar will be on plant fibers such as straw, hemp, reed, and their combination with wood and earth. These lesser-known materials, some of which have ancient craftsmanship that has been lost over time, hold great interest for several reasons: they are healthy, rapidly renewable, often derived from agricultural byproducts, and have carbon sequestration properties.

Through experimentation and hands-on manipulation of these plant fibers, implemented at various scales and using different techniques, participants will gain an understanding of the scientific, structural, and insulating characteristics of these materials. The sensory exploration at a 1:1 scale will encourage groups to delve deeper into the potentials and limitations of fiber construction, initiating broader reflections on the current challenges in the act of building.

TEACHING AIMS

• Discover and understand the main characteristics of bio-based fiber materials.
• Understand the supply chain, from materials to architecture, and question the availability and production cycles of building resources.
• Develop a process of sensory and technical exploration in small groups, starting with the characteristics of materials to understand construction and, more broadly, architecture.
• Experiment with the main scientific, structural and insulating characteristics of plant fiber construction at different scales, right up to implementation on a 1:1 scale.
• Compare and understand the potentials and limits of these materials through practical experience.
• Develop a critical approach to their use.

TEACHING FORMS

The pedagogical approach combines practical experimentation with scientific knowledge, construction know-how, and technical and architectural design. The 5-day workshop is organized around group work and theoretical input from the supervisory team. Speeches/lectures by specialists (architects, craftsmen, engineers, etc.) are also scheduled throughout the week.