Earth, stone and fibres have conquered contemporary architecture. Thousands of projects of high technical, ecological and aesthetic quality are being built on all five continents. The democratisation of the use of these materials, which consume little energy and are available in large quantities around the world, is making a major contribution to reducing the exploitation of non-renewable resources and limiting the energy needs of buildings.
A challenge for contemporary architecture, the use of materials from the soil and fields is one of the most optimistic ways of building for tomorrow, by giving new meaning to the building trade. Local resources are being organised and developed, creating jobs and boosting local economic activity. Biosourced and geosourced materials are essential for post-carbon architecture, and are helping to drive the ecological and social transition.
The Materia exhibition and book, which follow on from the two editions of Fibra architectures (2019) and TerraFibra (2021), are dedicated to contemporary architecture in earth, stone and plant fibres. They highlight the aesthetic properties, constructive advantages and environmental benefits of 40 eco-constructions selected as part of the materia award. Materia reflects the desire to highlight exemplary renovation projects, emphasising the complementary nature of materials. The aim is to gain recognition for these buildings from the profession and the general public alike, highlighting the courage of the owners who chose these materials, the creativity of the designers and the expertise of the craftsmen and contractors.
