The democracy of materials, consists of "In abundance" and "Archaeology of a city mine"
The democracy of materials is an ongoing research and architectural project initiated by studio anima ona. Since 2020 Freia Achenbach and June Gschwander are on the search of abundance in the material world. As a response to the climate crisis and the resource scarcity the design studio started a research on building waste materials and other minerals that occur in abundance. They work connects scientific research with design output.
Local
Germany
Stuttgart.
It addresses urban-rural linkages
It refers to a physical transformation of the built environment (hard investment)
No
No
As an individual in partnership with other persons
First name: Freia Last name: Achenbach Gender: Female Age: 29 Please attach a copy of your national ID/residence card:
By ticking this box, I certify that the information regarding my age is factually correct. : Yes Nationality: Germany Address (country of permanent residence for individuals or address of the organisation)<br/>Street and number: Strohberg 20 Town: Stuttgart Postal code: 70180 Country: Germany Direct Tel:+49 163 8722486 E-mail:animaona@gmail.com Website:https://www.city-mine.online
First name: June Last name: Gschwander Gender: Male Age: 29 Please attach a copy of your national ID/residence card:
By ticking this box, I certify that the information regarding my age is factually correct. : Yes Nationality: Germany Address (country of permanent residence for individuals or address of the organisation)<br/>Street and number: Reutlinger Strasse 93 Town: Stuttgart Postal code: 70597 Country: Germany Direct Tel:+49 1577 0410048 E-mail:animaona@gmail.com Website:https://www.city-mine.online
"The Democracy of Materials" is comprised of two interrelated projects, both aimed at showcasing the potential of innovative technology and digitalization to achieve a transformation process of materials for a new diversity era in building materials. The first project, "In Abundance," demonstrates the potential of geosynthesis technology by using an alkali solution, such as NaOH, to decompose minerals rich in SiO2 and create a strong petrified new stone. This technologie could be an alternative to the well known climate negative concrete. The second project, "Archaeology of a City Mine," highlights the potential of digitalization by using 3D scanning technology to create a digital archive of building debris. This archive serves as a valuable source of forms, textures, and materials for creatives, and can be accessed at https://www.city-mine.online.
New Material
Abundance
Diversity
Recycling
Local
Our goal is to generate new material sources that haven't been utilized yet. "In Abundance" creates new building materials from construction debris and other stones. All recipes tested to date have reduced CO2 emissions by up to 80% and energy consumption during production by up to 70% compared to conventional concrete (cement). In addition to old bricks, tiles, and other construction waste, materials such as basalt, sandstone, clay, desert sand, quartz, and others can be used. Silicon is the second most abundant element on the Earth's crust after oxygen, making the possibilities for reaction nearly infinite. The use of a wide range of possible materials for the reaction allows us to utilize local resources, reducing logistical energy. So far, over 100 different tiles and bricks, one petrified earth room made from excavation earth from different construction sites in Stuttgart, and larger volume tests have been recorded.
"Archaeology of a City Mine" reinterprets the term "waste" as an archaeological find. Instead of being considered waste, the found fragments are treated and analyzed in a valuable manner, similar to findings from past cultures. The imperfections of the objects give them a mystic and intriguing perspective. The collected pieces have been 3D scanned and archived into a digital platform.
The architectural elements produced in the "In Abundance" project, such as tiles, bricks, and earth rooms, have a diverse range of colors and textures. The result appears natural in all aspects (visual and surface) due to the use of only natural products and not being refined beforehand. Through 3D scanning of construction debris in the "Archaeology of a City Mine" project, these elements gain a new aesthetic through their new dimension, helping to change the perception of waste. Garbage becomes light, precious, and attractive in the digital world.
In order to process the minerals and produce architectural elements for the "In Abundance" project, we have designed and built our own machines and developed a production process that can be performed on-site. This means that in the future, every region could use this technology and become experts in the necessary recipes to process their own materials. By utilizing this geographical knowledge, people can reconnect with the territory they live in and rebuild a material culture that has been lost through standardization. With the digital archive of "Archaeology of a City Mine," we have made data accessible to creatives around the world, and are now working to make it possible for others to upload additional data. This will not only lead to a more sustainable use of resources, but also to a revival of local traditions and cultures that were once based on the use of locally available materials. The use of waste as building material also has a significant impact on reducing the carbon footprint, as it reduces the need for new raw materials to be extracted and processed. The integration of waste into architecture will not only improve the environment, but also create a more aesthetically diverse world, where every building tells a story and reflects the unique characteristics of its location. This could result in a more meaningful and connected relationship between people and their built environment, and a greater appreciation for the materials that surround us.
The involvement of citizens and civil society in the concept is crucial for its success. By promoting the use of local materials and encouraging a connection to local heritage, the community can take ownership of the concept and work towards its implementation. This will have a positive impact on both the environment and the local economy, as people begin to see the value in waste and work to reduce it.
Citizens can also play an active role in the production process, becoming experts in the necessary recipes to process their own materials. This not only promotes a sense of pride in the local community, but also provides a source of income and job opportunities.
The impact of this involvement will be felt in a number of ways. First, the environment will benefit from the reduction of waste and the increased use of sustainable materials. Second, the local economy will be strengthened through job creation and the promotion of local businesses. Finally, the community will benefit from a stronger connection to their local heritage, leading to a greater appreciation of their region's unique cultural identity.
The "Democracy of Materials" project was a collaborative effort between a diverse group of experts, including designers, web developers, scientific institutions, artists, politicians, construction companies, and architects. The input and expertise from each field was crucial to the success and completeness of the project. For instance, the team was able to access one of Europe's largest construction sites, the new main station in Stuttgart, to gather information and waste. Additionally, interactions with politicians from the construction ministry provided valuable insights into the current state of the building industry. The web developers created the platform that houses the digital archive, while architects and the Fraunhofer institution provided the necessary support and validation to continue the project.
This project blends together the fields of material research, art, design, architecture, and politics, creating a multidisciplinary collaboration. The creative aspect of art and design provides new perspectives for scientific discovery, while the expertise of politicians and scientists ensures that the project stays focused and practical. The interaction with the architecture field highlights the most pressing issues in building construction, providing valuable insight for the project.
The main innovation of our project lies in our recognition of the vital role of diversity in achieving a sustainable future. Unlike other material research or recycling initiatives that aim for a universal solution, we emphasize on abundance and diversity. By finding specific solutions tailored to each place and material, we aim to preserve a harmonious relationship with nature. Our specific innovations include the petrification of clay without heat, which could revolutionize the mud building industry; the generation of new building materials concrete-like from construction debris and natural stones. By advancing our research and development, we envision a future where buildings will rise up and down without moving matter of its place, like plants and trees do.
The digitalization of waste has the potential to impact a variety of industries that work with visual content, such as advertising agencies or graphic design offices. These organizations could leverage the collected data, including shape, structure, and colors, to inform their work and potentially generate revenue by financing the reverse processing of waste. The archive could also function as a virtual showroom or second-hand market, making it accessible to artists and craftspeople who could purchase the fragments for their projects. Additionally, the transformation of mineral waste into new building materials has the potential to benefit anyone looking to build a home, as it offers a sustainable and cost-effective alternative to traditional building materials. Furthermore, this technology has tremendous potential for restoring old buildings, as demonstrated by our research. In the course of our project, we collaborated with restoration companies who specialize in restoring old sandstone churches. Instead of replacing damaged stones, they will be able in a future to use our innovation to restore the original ones.
One of the most pressing challenges of our era is the degradation and exploitation of ecosystems. There is a disconnect between resource procurement and consumption, which results in a lack of environmental awareness and respect. In addition, people have less and less connection to their environment, which makes it difficult to live harmoniously between people and nature. We aim to address this problem through the local potential of our technology, which will reduce the negative impact of resource consumption and procurement. This will prevent the creation of massive landfills on one side of the world and massive holes (quarries) on the other.
