ineinander
Basic information
Project Title
Full project title
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Project Description
The plasticity of the material earth is almost endless and can thereby unfold a great complexity. This property is challenged in the project ineinander by the combination with different materials. Sophisticated connections complement the rammed earth not only constructively, but also aesthetically. Through these combinations, the application of rammed earth is expanded and invites new, sculptural and formal variations. The result of an initial exploratory study is a bench.
Geographical Scope
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Urban or rural issues
Physical or other transformations
EU Programme or fund
Which funds
Description of the project
Summary
"Ineinander" is a study regarding the connectivity of rammed earth. Since thousand of years, rammed earth is used for traditional buildings. These objects are proof for the stability and functionality of rammed earth. Since today, rammed earth was not only replaced by harmful substitutes in the architectural scene, it was also never developed to enrich other disciplines. Rammed earth is often reduced to a massive usage. How could rammed earth be used in new scenarios? Rammed earth ist neither burned nor mixed with any gluelike materials, it is perfectly recyclable without putting a lot of energy into it. Therefore it could substitute harmful materials like concrete and plastics. To make rammed earth more approachable for new contexts, "ineinander" studies how rammed earth can be connected to other materials. The goal is to enhance the strenghts of rammed earth and add new features. This was done by joining the rammed earth with natural materials like wood, or constructive elements made out of metal. All of these combinations are fully seperable and reusable. "Ineinander" is not only creating different connections, the results have also been applied to an outdoor furniture, to proof the theories in the longterm.
Key objectives for sustainability
Rammed earth is a material, that is not only widely available, it is also fully recyclable. Nowadays people often need to get rid of the excavated material on a construction site. As a matter of facts, these material is very often earth. Instead of paying a lot of money to bring the material to the landfill, one could use exactly this, to build their very own house. At the moment this precious material is handled like waste. But it is fully capable of susbtituting concrete, which has a very bad recyclability. To create rammed earth, one only has to get the material, fill it in formwork and compress it. These means the material is not transformed. It can be dissolved and be reshaped at any time. Applying this plasticity and combining it with different materials, makes rammed earth become a versatile, natural material. To be used not only in architectural but also in the product context.
Key objectives for aesthetics and quality
Combining rammed earth, which has a dark, earthy colour with light wood, is creating a beautiful contrast. The materials are interlocking and creating a fully new aesthetical fusion. After proving the constructive stability of the connections, I found there is a endless variety of designing those transitions. Following the first experiments, I started with simple and reduced, tradtitional joints, I challenged the aesthetics by milling complex wooden counterparts, connecting them with the formable rammed earth.
These connections are not only pleasing but also constructive. By implementing them into objects and furniture they become exciting details.
Key objectives for inclusion
Rammed earth is a cheap material, you can find it anywhere. The concept and keyfindings are open source and can be used by anyone working with the material. Connecting rammed earth with new materials, shows the variety it is capable of. With this diversity, the material can be set in new contexts. From creating community gardens to public space furniture.
Compressing rammed earth is a process that needs a lot of manpower. Therefore it is a perfect activity to gather residents working in a participatory project.
Physical or other transformations
Innovative character
"Ineinander" is using the natural material rammed earth, which is fully recyclable. Connecting rammed earth with other natural materials makes it ultimately versatile. By creating this new connections rammed earth will be able to be transferred in contexts, where it has never been before. A lot of daily objects could be replaced with the material, to meet the need of evolving surroundings while reusing the very same material.
The material is available and the process is lowtech, therefore it is capable to reach a lot of people. This makes the work especially valuable. Implementations can be done with a group of people and proper instructions.
