Architecture has an undeniable impact on the environment through material extraction, exploitation, and usage. Building construction uses precious natural resources, and building usage is responsible for a significant proportion of all our carbon emissions.
The Brussels-based BC architects, and BC studies, and BC materials, is a hybrid practice, designing and undertaking “acts of building” toward systemic change in the construction sector. They strive for bioregional, low-tech, circular, beautiful, and inclusive designs. The three separate but interconnected entities were started between 2009 and 2012. The offices have worked on projects in countries across Europe and Africa engaged in bioregional, low-tech, circular design and construction solutions.
BC’s recent exhibition Same Same but Different focused on three of BC’s architectural projects that exemplify eco-friendly techniques of extraction: geo-sourcing, urban sourcing and bio-sourcing.
Through their presentation of three projects, the former gendarmerie barracks Usquare Feder in Ixelles, private residence WOODSTOCK in Wallonia and the workspaces of Atelier LUMA LOT8 in Arles, France, BC explored alternatives to current modes of resource and material extraction.
Additionally, the exhibition collaborated with the postgraduate Building Beyond Borders of UHasselt, who investigated the opportunities of ‘urban mining’ and renewable building materials in Brussels.
Exhibition Curator: BC architects & studies & materials
In collaboration with: Building Beyond Borders (UHasselt) & Atelier LUMA (Arles)
