The use of bio- and geo-sourced materials provides virtuous technical solutions to adapt our construction systems and fight climate change as a result. Some have been used for centuries, while others are being invented today.
This book demonstrates the potential of these modes of construction by analysing
the 40 finalist buildings for the TERRAFIBRA Award, the world’s first prize
for contemporary architecture built with raw earth and plant fibres. Organised
by technique (pisé, clay-based concrete, cob, adobe, pressed earth block, and
plaster) or the material used (hemp, straw, reed, and bamboo), the projects testify
to the commitment of these pioneering teams of architects, engineers, builders,
and clients. They prove that we can build in a different way, by relying on
local resources and know-how, without forsaking innovation. Rooted in a very
specific sense of place, these frugal and creative architectures reveal the new
horizons that await the world of construction and renovation.
