Natural Building

JIMMI PIANEZZOLA: SCL STRAW-BALE HOUSE, 2016

PHOTO BY ALBERTO SINIGAGLIA

 

Courses possibly needed to create this building

• Studio course– experimenting with the creation and modeling of an architectural space
• Visual studies– the visual elements of architecture; including aesthetics
• Construction + structures – how to correctly and safely construct a space, and exploring the structural makeup of architecture
• Natural materials– studying how natural, raw materials can be used in architecture
• History of worldwide natural building techniques-focusing on traditional African techniques
• Passive technology– looking at passive technological systems that can be a part of architecture
• Local Ecology-understanding the local ecological systems where the space is located
• Psychology of Spaces- being able to understand how we psychologically are effected by spaces, and how natural materials play into this
• Sustainability in Architecture- Learning about the effects of building materials and the processes, both during, and after construction, on the environment
• Climate change mitigation – understanding the effects of climate change on the planet, and how issues like rising sea levels will effect architecture

 

 

My architectural course is called “Natural Building”. In this course, students will learn varying techniques on how to create a building out of primarily, if not all, natural materials. An emphasis will be placed on studying former and current ways of natural building worldwide, with a focus on architectural works from across Africa. This course will be essential in the upcoming future within a climate-descent scenario when there will be less access to resources and materials that we have previously had in an abundance. Natural building creates a much smaller footprint if occupants do not need to drive long distances daily, and doesn’t off put toxic chemicals and Volatile Organic Compounds into the architectural space or the air. Using ideas of “psychological function” and “symbolic function” (Roth pg. 12-16) we will create architectural spaces that embody the environmental values of communities, and help provide them spaces that are psychologically more calming and comfortable in relationship to the natural materials they are made out of. The spaces created will be unique to their surrounding ecological environment, and will make use of materials from the area; making it better for the natural environment, creating a unique, harmonious beauty with its natural surroundings, and giving it place.

 

Citation:

Roth , Leland M. “‘Commodite’: How Does the Building Function?” UNDERSTANDING ARCHITECTURE: Its Elements, History,and Meaning, by Amanda C. Roth, ROUTLEDGE, 2019, pp. 12–16.