Architects as Material Producers: From Selection to Fabrication
In an article by Daniela Andino for ArchDaily, dated August 25, 2026, the focus is on architecture firms evolving from merely choosing materials to engaging in their production. Featured companies include Material Cultures, BC architects (through BC materials), and Studio Ossidiana. Material Cultures, established after the Flat House at Margent Farm, utilizes hemp sourced from 20 acres for prefabricated panels and cladding. BC materials repurposes excavated earth and agricultural waste into building supplies. Studio Ossidiana has developed 'Surf and Turf' terrazzo, incorporating local shells into concrete. The article highlights the difficulties of scaling, illustrated by BC architects' Regional House Edeghem, which produced 19,000 compressed earth blocks in just three weeks. Each firm adopts a unique approach, merging material production with architectural design and broadening the architects' responsibilities.
Key facts
- Material Cultures, BC architects, and Studio Ossidiana are developing materials rather than just selecting them.
- Material Cultures used hemp grown on 20 acres at Margent Farm for prefabricated panels and cladding in Flat House.
- BC materials works with waste resources like excavated earth and agricultural byproducts to create building materials.
- Studio Ossidiana creates new concrete mixes with pigments, stones, and sand, as seen in Petrified Carpets.
- Regional House Edeghem used 19,000 compressed earth blocks and 312 square meters of hempcrete, with over 150 volunteers.
- Flat House's prefabricated hemp panels were installed in two days.
- Art Pavilion M in Almere features a terrazzo called 'Surf and Turf' made from local shells and horticultural aggregates.
- BC materials acted as manufacturer for Lot 8, a project with Assemble and Atelier LUMA.
- The article is part of ArchDaily's theme 'The Architecture of Craft: Handmade Stories in the Digital Age'.
- The article was translated using AI.
Entities
Artists
- Daniela Andino
- George Massoud
Institutions
- ArchDaily
- Material Cultures
- BC architects
- BC materials
- BC studies
- Studio Ossidiana
- Assemble
- Atelier LUMA
- Practice Architecture
Locations
- Margent Farm
- Cambridgeshire
- United Kingdom
- Edeghem
- Belgium
- Almere
- Netherlands