\u2018We imagine the future, rather than working within the present,\u2019 says Islam, describing the approach of design and research consultancy Material Cultures. \u2018We speculate on the potential for woodlands to produce certain materials, even though today we import them from mainland Europe.\u2019<\/p>\n
Material Cultures, co-founded in 2019 with Paloma Gormley and George Masoud, advocates greater use of bio-based materials in construction and bio-regional material sourcing. Bio-regional mapping involves in-depth research to find out what resources, products and skills are local to a site, such as visits to sawmills and interviews with nearby foresters and farmers to build local supply chains.<\/p>\n
Through built projects, hands-on workshops, research, teaching and films, Material Cultures has emerged as a significant disruptor of \u2018business as usual\u2019. The practice\u2019s main message is that our extractive construction industry needs a radical overhaul. \u2018Our experience is that people want to make choices that align with their values,\u2019 Islam explains. \u2018They just aren\u2019t informed, because we deliberately obscure, as an industry, the impact of certain processes and materials.\u2019<\/p>\n
Hands-on workshops with builders and community residents have evolved to be one of Material Culture\u2019s most impactful workstreams, simultaneously addressing lack of industry understanding of how to build with bio-based materials and empowering builders and local residents with new construction skills.<\/p>\n
\u2018Straw is the ultimate equitable material. Everyone can pick up a bale and build with straw,\u2019 says Islam. In addition to straw, Material Cultures advocates greater use of hemp and wood fibre. These are three regenerative materials which could be scaled in the British context, according to Islam.<\/p>\n
In this episode, we also discuss Material Culture\u2019s work with Civic Square in Birmingham, developing a neighbourhood microfactory for community retrofit. In terms of retrofit, Islam cautions that \u2018more insulation is not always the answer\u2019. An awning or a minor modification to the plan might result in a more impactful outcome for a given cost.<\/p>\n
To catch up on all episodes of AJ Climate Champions, click here<\/a>.<\/p>\n Find Climate Champions on your favourite podcast app: subscribe via Spotify<\/a>,\u00a0Apple Podcasts<\/a>, YouTube<\/a>, Deezer<\/a>\u00a0and Podbean<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n
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