Materials

Given today’s environmental challenges and the impact of construction, materials selection at the outset of an architectural project is a critical decision.

In our effort to promote local building practices, reduce environmental impact, and favour short supply chains, our team works alongside all project stakeholders to facilitate the use of raw earth materials. We are involved throughout architectural projects, from planning to project completion, as well as in setting up material production chains.

Improving access to high-quality environmental and cultural housing

We share our expertise with all parties involved to collaboratively address the specific challenges linked to the use of these still largely non-standardised materials.

The Materials unit focuses its activities on 3 main areas

  • 1

    Understanding matter and materials

  • 2

    Construction systems, production methods and innovation

  • 3

    Evolution of the regulatory framework

Skills and services


The Materials Unit provides expertise in the following areas:

Support for project management and project owners

  • 1. Project Assessment and Planning

  • 2. Context (heritage, available raw materials, and local know-how) and Feasibility Studies

    • Identification and analysis of local soil

    • Guidance in selecting the appropriate raw earth construction technique

    • Material formulation and, if needed, laboratory characterisation

    • Overall feasibility analysis (technical, economic, logistical, etc.)

  • 3. Support for architectural design

    • Development of raw earth construction details and interfaces with other materials

    • Structural calculation notes in collaboration with structural engineering consultants

    • Assistance with drafting technical specifications and defining the implementation schedule

  • 4. Technical Justification for Raw Earth Construction:

    • Coordination of testing campaigns
    • Preparation of technical approval files
  • 5. Assistance with Contractor Selection and Tendering
  • 6. Support During Construction and Delivery

  • Our support can be provided throughout the entire project lifecycle or focused on specific phases. However, we strongly recommend involving us from the design stage to ensure compatibility with raw earth construction techniques

Support for construction companies

  • 1. Project feasibility assessment (structural, economic, planning, etc.)
  • 2. Support with tender preparation and cost estimation for raw earth work packages
  • 3. Analysis of on-site soils and exploration of nearby quarries to identify suitable materials
  • 4. Material formulation
  • 5. Guidance in selecting a structural engineering firm (execution plans and structural calculations)

  • 6. Assistance in planning and carrying out test campaigns, and in preparing certification files (e.g., ATEx-type approvals in France)
  • 7. Training of construction teams through the building of prototype walls
  • 8. Support in setting up material production and implementing quality control procedures
  • 9. Assistance in developing specific tools and equipment adapted to the chosen construction technique and scale of the project

Structuring raw earth material supply chains for construction

  • 1. Feasibility analysis for establishing a raw earth production unit:

    • Assessment of the territory and local context in relation to the development of a raw earth sector, including market analysis

    • Resource evaluation and support in selecting materials for production

    • Comparative study of the environmental impacts of different materials and production methods

    • Initial technical, logistical and economic guidelines

    • Development of a risk management strategy for the project

  • 2. Design of the production unit:

    • Analysis of soil sourcing and preparation processes

    • Material formulation and characterization

    • Research and development for material implementation, including prototype construction

    • Design of production lines and associated R&D activities

    • Comprehensive project assessment to ensure alignment between technical plans, financial investment, available land and project timeline

    • Drafting of technical specifications for the installation of production lines

  • 3. Support for Production Unit Implementation:

    • Management of soil supply logistics

    • Assistance with equipment selection, procurement and installation

    • Coordination of material testing and characterisation campaigns

    • Development of technical documentation and user guides

    • Technical support for marketing

    • Organisation of demonstration construction sites

    • Support in setting up quality control processes

    • Guidance on equipment maintenance

Technical and regulatory validation

    • Support in defining a technical and regulatory validation strategy, including risk management
    • Participation in the development of normative documents, technical dossiers, and certification files (e.g., ATEx, professional guidelines, standards)
    • Organisation of testing campaigns, analysis of results, and characterisation of materials and structural elements

Methodology

The Materials Unit serves as a bridge between materials and architecture. We consider the full scope of the construction process—from assessing the potential of a territory to the successive stages of material production, structural design, and building implementation. Each project becomes an opportunity to reinforce the building culture of a territory and empower its stakeholders.

Define a method for identifying and leveraging local resources in housing production

  • Extraction and production of building materials in regional development
  • Enhancing the value of local materials and adapting their associated know-how to contemporary construction.
  • Setting up production chains: basic conditions and key stages.

Caractériser les techniques de construction en terre et d’autres matériaux non industriels

  • Identify construction techniques with high utilization potential and prepare and support the process of characterizing them (in conjunction with STI laboratories).
  • Exploration and characterization of simplified (field) test procedures for earth construction
  • Assistance in drawing up standard documents, from Atex level (BTCs, Pisé, etc.) to higher levels of standardization.

Exploring possible uses for new urban resources under construction

  • Assessing construction uses for excavated soil
  • Reuse of building materials/components: potential and limits