Earth

CRAterre, NAP PLAC / FAU USP, Argus Caruso Architecture and Laboraterra Architecture

Project development: Brazil and France

The combination of experiences and construction techniques around the world is making earthen houses increasingly economical, sustainable and beautiful!

These techniques and research are spread throughout the world. Here we have a glimpse of France, which, through Craterre/ENSAG, has a postgraduate program dedicated exclusively to earthen architecture and construction. A glimpse of other parts of the world, including Africa, our sister continent, where several techniques originated and blended with many others already used by the indigenous peoples of Brazil.

The contemporary Brazilian works on display here demonstrate the versatility of land use. The MST (Municipal Workers' Movement) mobilizes collective efforts to build earthen buildings in settlements. And some residences help break some of the paradigms still prevalent in Brazil. The houses can be high-end or nondescript, simply appropriate to their context. In short, earth is everywhere, being used in a wide variety of ways.

Our exhibition semicircle has materiality inside, in an arc greater than 180 degrees, because more than half of the houses on the planet are made of earth.
We've come together here to spread this knowledge as much as possible. There's no major industry interested in this topic, so there's no advertising. Land is almost always free. It's right under our feet. We're still few, but we're very confident in what we're doing. Not only is the house healthier, but we're emitting much less CO2 during and after construction. We, architects and builders, are extremely responsible for the planet's degradation. The construction industry is one of the largest contributors to the planet's CO2 emissions. It's up to us to decide which construction materials best suit the urgent need to change this situation.

CRAterre
The CRAterre association has extensive experience in the technical support of raw earth construction projects and housing projects for the largest possible number of people, in different contexts.

NAP PLAC – Research Support Center: Production and Language of the Built Environment / FAU USP

Argus Caruso Architecture
It is a studio specializing in Earthen Architecture and Construction. Directed by Architect Argus Caruso.

Laboraterra Architecture
It is a studio specializing in Earthen Architecture and Construction. Directed by Architects Alain Briatte and Luciano Bottino.

This exhibition was held with the support of the French Institute on the occasion of the Saison France – Brazil

Participate in the program of debates, workshops and associated activities!

TODAY (06.10)

2pm – workshop Nature-Based Solutions for City Resilience

7:00 p.m. –  Opening at IABsp from the SP 25 Forum

IN THE NEXT DAYS (07 to 010.10)

07.10 to 09.10 | 9am – workshop Architects and engineers facing climate challenges

October 7th | 2:00 PM – SP 25 Forum Thematic Session 1. Environmental heritage, climate change and public policies

07.10 | 3pm – workshop Nature-Based Solutions for City Resilience

07.10 | 3pm – Biomaterials Mini-Workshops at the Living Lab

October 7th | 4:00 PM – SP 25 Forum Thematic Session 2. Living with water, adapting infrastructure and redefining waste

07.10 | 5pm – Biomaterials Mini-Workshops at the Living Lab

October 7th | 6:00 PM – SP 25 Forum Panel 1: Environment, Infrastructure and Urban Risks

07.10 | Guided tour Pantanal Action

October 8th | 2:00 PM – SP 25 Forum Thematic Session 3. Rehabilitating architectural and urban heritage, valuing pre-existing structures and building green

October 8th | 4:00 PM – SP 25 Forum Thematic Session 4. Circulating and accessing a sustainable city together

08.10 | 4:30 pm – Circular Economy: the Lynx raw material at the Living Lab

October 8th | 5:30 pm – Session 6 of the exhibition Cinema, architecture and society: records of a hot world at the Cinematheque

October 8th | 6:30 pm – SP 25 Forum Panel 2: City Production, Mobility and Heritage

October 9th | 2:00 PM – SP 25 Forum Thematic Session 5. Promoting decent housing and climate justice

09.10 | 3pm – Biomaterials Mini-Workshops at the Living Lab

October 9th | 4:00 PM – SP 25 Forum Thematic Session 6. Governing with inclusion, participation and social control

09.10 | 5pm – Biomaterials Mini-Workshops at the Living Lab

09.10 | 5:30 pm – session 6 of the exhibition Cinema, architecture and society: records of a hot world at the Cinematheque

October 9th | 6:00 PM – SP 25 Forum Panel 3: Governance, Representation and Social Participation 

10.10 | 2:30 pm – Risk-Free Periphery in the Context of Climate Change

10.10 | 4pm – Knowing to Transform: Community Climate Risk Reduction and Adaptation Plans

10.10 | 6:30 pm – Inclusive Adaptation: Nature-Based Solutions in the Peripheries

10.10 and 12.10 | 9am – Drawing Workshop: Oscar Niemeyer's Architecture in Ibirapuera Park and the Climate Challenge

JOIN! IT'S ALL FREE!

And there's much more until October 19th!

(Activities and projects are still being added; the site will be complete soon)

NOTE OF CONDOLENCE

With deep sorrow, the Brazilian Institute of Architects – São Paulo Department (IABsp) mourns the passing of architect and landscape architect Kongjian Yu, a global leader in ecological urbanism, and the members of his team who accompanied him, tragically killed during the filming of a documentary. The institute is honored to have had him as a participant in the 14th São Paulo International Architecture Biennial, where his transformative vision strengthened the dialogue between global challenges and local realities. IABsp emphasizes that Yu's contribution, which transcends borders, will remain an inspiration for generations and expresses its condolences to China, to the families of all the deceased, to his friends, and to all those impacted by his genius and dedication. Read the full note here.