Materia Architectures

Earth, stone, and fibers have conquered contemporary architecture. Thousands of projects of high technical, ecological, and aesthetic quality are emerging across five continents. The widespread use of these materials, which are energy-efficient and abundantly available worldwide, is greatly contributing 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 to build tomorrow by restoring meaning to the building professions. Local resource sectors are being organized and developed, creating jobs that strengthen local economic activity. Bio- and geo-sourced materials are essential for designing post-carbon architecture and contribute to 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 made from earth, stone, and plant fibers. They highlight the aesthetic properties, construction advantages, and environmental benefits of 40 eco-constructions selected for the Materia Award. Materia reflects the desire to highlight exemplary rehabilitation projects, emphasizing the complementarity of materials. It aims to gain recognition for these buildings by both the profession and the general public, highlighting the courage of the project owners who chose these materials, the creativity of the designers, and the expertise of the craftsmen and contractors.