DETAIL 6.2025

From the editorial of issue DETAIL 6.2025

Like a Phoenix from the Rubble

The cradle-to-cradle principle envisions buildings returning to the natural cycle after use. In practice, however, most are only partially composed of natural or compostable materials. One notable exception is Florian Nagler’s Garden House, winner of the Detail Award, which closely follows this principle. Another route is the reuse or refurbishment of components from demolished buildings. But this, too, is complex – components are often scarce and costly to extract and and make fit for new applications.

To facilitate recycling, some structures are being designed for disassembly. Yet even timber joints fixed with screws can prove difficult to undo after years in place. A research group in Arles sees itself as a recycler of remnants, developing new materials from construction debris and agricultural waste: sunflower stalks become acoustic panels, while rice straw from cultivation is turned into insulation. The team also experiments with local resources: in nearby salt pans, salt crystallises on metal racks to form tiles, while algae are used to make lamps, vases, and wall finishes.

Architecture made from rubble, clad in salt, rice, and seaweed – a compelling vision of the future. Perhaps the most promising path lies in combining these diverse strategies.