amàco, atelier matières à construire, is a center of research, training and experimentation of matter. The project aims to upgrade and disseminate knowledge revealing in a sensitive way the inner qualities of natural materials, such as sand, clay, water and fibers, related to building arts. Approaching matter through science and more subjective concepts, such as materiality and aesthetics, amàco seeks to take part of an environmental paradigm shift, stimulating creativity through the re-connection of emotion and intellect in construction practices. The project brings together insights of different disciplines to integrate different perceptions and to foster and inspire new contemporary practices. Exploring preconceptions of the idea of progress and innovation, amàco is inspired by the experience of nature and its genius of simplicity. Photo: amàco Artists, architects, engineers, scientists, philosophers, researchers and others, participate in an interdisciplinary and experimental project that revolves around four interacting areas: science, art, technique and architecture.
- amàco is based in France and is supported by four institutional partners:
- Grands Ateliers, educational center for research and experimentation in construction
- ensa Grenoble, school of architectur
- insa Lyon, school of engineers
- espci ParisTech, school of physicians and chemists
Photo: amàco
Photo: Stefanie Hueber
Selection of Projects
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Pavillon Fibres et Adobes
Prototype building, France 2014 -
Abris à vélos | Bicycles shelter
Building prototype, France 2015 -
Workshop Jeux d’adobes
Mud bricks prototypes, International 2013 – today -
Architecture Biennale Lyon
Ephemeral installation, France 2017 -
Scénographie de l’exposition
»Pour l’intelligence de la main®« – Venice, Italy, 2018
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Muséum d’Orléans pour la biodiversité et l’environnement
Exhibition pedestals, Orléans, France, 2021 -
Curve
Rammed earth furnishings, Saint Denis, France, 2021 -
BAP! 2022
Model in molded clay, Versailles, France, 2022
Workshop Content
Main objective of the workshop is to explore and test the building potential of earth bricks in contemporary architecture and design. Through theoretical inputs and practical experimentation with this ancient building technique, participants will go through a creative process of learning by doing. Participants will design and build with a particular brick imagined to innovate and responds to an architectural need. They will experience and acquire masonry skills through the construction of a small-scale building prototype. These are some of the topics that will be emphasized:
- Overview of mud bricks building culture: inspirations from vernacular to contemporary architecture.
- Evolution of production practices and building methods with earthen bricks.
- Understanding earth material physical qualities and building properties.
Photo: Stefanie Hueber
Photo: Stefanie Hueber
Workshop Motivation
amàco teaching method is based on experimentation and hands-on approach. As a pedagogical project we emphasize aesthetics and emotion as creative vectors to instill curiosity in participants for natural materials architectural potentials. We believe that these methods foster openmindedness and pleasure of learning. We give a priority to teamwork to encourage knowledge exchange and interdisciplinary to develop a collective intelligence.
Moreover, amàco principal motivation is to build and disseminate in a big scale a scientific and an eco-friendly technical building culture. In that matter, we are specialized in developing building techniques using local materials like earth and natural fibers. Every workshop we take part is an opportunity to put into practice our teaching methods, to experiment and to exchange with other participants around the question that animates us: How to think and build our environment?
