Summer School Building with Earth & Fibres

To this day, raw earth and natural fibers appear in only a fraction of the projects built in Europe. As such, they are rarely included in the education of students in architecture. Yet, these materials are integral to our vernacular architecture—even if this has been forgotten in (too) many regions. More importantly, they present a deeply ecological character: locally available, low energy, recyclable, and reusable.

As we look to make construction sustainable, the combination of earth and fiber represents a crucial asset. Hence this summer school's objective: to give the opportunity to learn to build with these materials the only way it works—with your own hands.

Hence this summer school’s objective: to give the opportunity to learn to build with earth the only way it works – with your own hands. More precisely, this 1-week program aims to offer a good opportunity to dive deeper into the world of earth construction, and experience for yourself various earth techniques that are commonplace in the present-day practice.

This modular program (1 or 2 weeks) aims to offer a deep dive into the world of sustainable construction. You will experience for yourself various techniques that are becoming essential in present-day practice, from the flexibility of fibrss to the solidity of earth.

Here you can find an impression of last year's edition. 

This Summer School is organised by
-BC studies 
-ULB, Faculty of architecture La Cambre Horta ULB
- Amàco

In collaboration with :
- Bruxelles Environnement

PROGRAM
Participants can choose to join for the full two-week experience  or register for a single focus week.

WEEK 1 Fiber Focus (29 June – 03 July) 
We begin by exploring bio-based materials and fibers, understanding their tensile strength and flexibility.

• Lectures: Theoretical foundations on bio-sourced materials and fibre applications.
• Project Visits: A tour of relevant recent projects that showcase bio-based materials.
• Practice: Hands-on workshops (content to be confirmed).
• Note: The prototypes and elements created during this week will serve as the foundation for the earth-based activities in Week 2.

WEEK 2 Earth Focus (06 July – 10 July) 
The second week shifts the focus to geo-sourced materials, diving into the mass and texture of raw earth.

• Lectures: Deepening the understanding of earth construction techniques and contemporary applications.
• Project Visits: "Earth Bike Tour" – A guided cycling tour of relevant recent projects in Brussels, focusing on earthen architecture.
• Practice: Hands-on workshops (content to be confirmed).
   

PRACTICAL DETAILS
Inscriptions: You can register for the full Summer School (2 weeks) or for a single week (Fiber Focus or Earth Focus).
Inscription starts from March 1st 2026
Inscription deadline, May 1st 2026

Where: Stadsatelier de Ville BC architects & studies & materials Havenlaan 104, 1000 Brussels

For questions: mail to info@bcstudies.org with topic: Summer School question

With the support of 
Erasmus+ program