Earth, stone and fibres have conquered contemporary architecture. Thousands of projects of high technical, ecological and aesthetic quality are being built on all five continents. The democratisation of the use of these materials, which consume little energy and are available in large quantities around the world, is making a major contribution to reducing the exploitation of non-renewable resources and limiting the energy needs of buildings.
The Materia exhibition and book, which follow on from the two editions of Fibra architectures (2019) and TerraFibra (2021), are dedicated to contemporary architecture in earth, stone and plant fibres. They highlight the aesthetic properties, constructive advantages and environmental benefits of 40 eco-constructions selected as part of the materia award. Materia reflects the desire to highlight exemplary renovation projects, emphasising the complementary nature of materials. The aim is to gain recognition for these buildings from the profession and the general public alike, highlighting the courage of the owners who chose these materials, the creativity of the designers and the expertise of the craftsmen and contractors.