Getting our hands dirty - Experimenting with clay

This week our director Ben Smallwood continued experimenting with the material properties of clay. We have grown on the research of other practices like Snøhetta by using clay as both a standalone material as well as a matrix in which we can enhance and adapt the properties. For example, can we take the principal of fibre optic concrete and achieve the same properties from a ubiquitous and sustainable material? Can clay been combined or manipulated to have high insulating properties without the need for additional retrofit systems?

Besides the limitless possibilities for the future built environment we can currently continue our research with the material through concept, and scale models. Clay allows us to quickly carve, mould, manipulate and cast concepts and details for our clients. These models are used to convey our ideas of texture, temperature and hapticity, straight in to the palms of our clients.