Introduction to the Exhibition

Clay is one of the oldest known building materials and is available in large quantities all over the world. In the course of history, technological development has steadily reduced its significance, first by introducing fired clay and later by burning limestone to produce cement, the binding ingredient of reinforced concrete. The widespread use of this very performative and allegedly eternal material was enabled by the almost limitless availability of cheap, coal- and oil-based energy throughout the 20th century. 

Now, climate change and the threat it poses to civilization is forcing us to reduce the amount of embodied energy in building materials and thus to radically rethink the way we build our environment. It is from this perspective that Future Now intends to revisit the potential of unfired clay as a fully reusable, carbon-neutral building material, which has the added advantage of not needing transportation as it can be sourced locally worldwide.

Studio Boltshauser and Gramazio Kohler Research of the Swiss Institute of Technology (ETH Zurich) have investigated the potential of clay constructions for a more sustainable future. Displayed here alongside highlights of the rich cultural history of earthen architecture are two prototype projects that were developed together with students and young researchers. While the projects were enabled by advanced structural engineering, material science, computational design, and robotic fabrication, they will develop their full potential only if we recalibrate our traditional value system.

We must recognize that nothing is for eternity and that the built environment needs constant maintenance and transformation. This simple finding makes it imperative for us to build with zero waste and carbon-neutral materials, to look for a radically contemporary architectural expression, and to contribute to writing a new chapter in the rich history of earthen construction that will carry us forward into the future.

Future Now! O Futuro Agora!