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Natural Materials Lab

OVERVIEW

The Natural Materials Lab, founded and directed by Assistant Professor Lola Ben-Alon, investigates raw, earth- and fiber-based building materials, their life cycle, supply chains, fabrication techniques, policy, and upscaled possibilities. Our research and teaching craft new ways to imagine and build socially equitable and ecologically sustainable futures by converging material science, geology and geography, architecture, engineering, art, and design.

Research

4-meter structure showcases AI-generated earthen bricks in circular, degradable construction

Blending ecological fabrication with cultural and bioclimatic considerations.

a photography of various human-like bodies made of printed earth-fiber, arranged with two reference books: bodies of clay and archeology of prehistoric bodies & embodied identities

Reflecting on the interconnectivity between material bodies through soil figurine printing

Advancing the science and geometry of 3D printed earth-fiber composites

Fusing natural waste materials with advanced fabrication to challenge material hierarchies

a photograph of an earth fiber tile with successfully grown mycelium

Investigating “dirt” panels as a substrate for mycelium growth

a photograph of a pile woven lattice structure

Developing digital weaving techniques for structural earth-fiber lattices

a flat pattern of biomud mixture extruded in a weaving pattern

Exploring flexible BioMud textiles through weaving techniques and geometries

thermal image of a user wearing the earth fabric heated vest

Designing earth fabric wearables to deliver localized thermally-pleasurable experiences

The Raw Earth Sgraffito Pavilion, Roofing Detail

Tracing the social and material ecologies of sourcing earth through Sgraffito ornamentation

close up photograph of the mashrabiya with shadows

3D printed earth-fiber experiments with lightweight Mashrabiya construction

Two photographs showing samples of flexible biomud fabric

Advancing flexible, structural textiles with natural earth- and bio-based materials.

Diagram of various building policies listed for various countries across the world

Mapping eco-friendly materials through building policy and education

The Biophilic Design and Natural Materials Card Toolkit

Using biophilic design and natural materials to promote recovery and wellbeing in healthcare e...

Exhibition view of the Eat Me Build Me brick project installation.

Speculating on the mineralogical content of earth materials for buildable -and edible- practic...

Thermal Comfort Survey for Occupants in Uninsulated Earthen Structures

The environmental impacts of thermal experience and survivability in earth dwellings

The Farm to Building Installation at Lamont Doherty

A raw (non-stabilized) rammed earth installation at Lamont Doherty Earth Observatory

Catalyzing the use of low-carbon and community-engaging building materials through systematic ...

gif of several iterations of armor-like rigid soil garments worn by models

Integrating earth as a wearable substance, built directly onto one’s body

Grounded Chairs is a 100% organic biodegradable low-carbon seating system

Achieving complex parametric forms through analog means with natural materials

Achieving complex parametric forms through analog means with clay

Reconciling architectural representations of housing while drawing from land art practices

Reconciling architectural representations of housing while drawing from land art practices

Teaching

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Introducing architectural design responses for energy, climate, and comfort

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Understanding and managing embodied / operational energy via Life Cycle Assessments (LCA)

Fabrication seminar exploring manual and digital techniques for earthen constructions

Rethinking raw earth for contemporary construction through immersive exploration.

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A project-based seminar that provides both theoretical and hands-on building experience

Blending tradition, innovation, and living systems to craft sustainable material processes.

Capturing site-specific geology, labor, and migrations through clay, additive, and mold-making...

Characterizing a range of soils to create a collective rammed wall installation

Independent Research supports thesis development in material studies and architecture technolo...

Who We Are

The Natural Materials Lab is directed by Lola Ben-Alon, Assistant Professor and Sequence Director of the Building Science and Technology curriculum at GSAPP.

Penmai Chongtoua, Adjunct Research Scholar

Trella Isabel Lopez, Lab Assistant

Kelechi Iheanacho, Lab Assistant

Keenan Bellisari, Lab Assistant

Sherry Aine Chuang Te, Lab Assistant

Bryce Emerson, Lab Assistant

Christopher Sherman, Lab Assistant

Amani Makee Hill, Lab Assistant

Past Researchers and Assistants

Arissara Donna Reed, M.Arch ‘25
Pavitra Nayak, MS.AAD '24
Kate Perez, M.Arch '25
Tashania Audrey Akemah, M.Arch '24
Pavitra Nayak, MS.AAD '24
Yuna Li, M.Arch '24
Aidan Ford Chisholm, MA. Modern and Contemporary Art '24
EunJin Shin, M.Arch '24
Zina Berrada, M.Arch '23
Mohammad Hossein Zowqi, M.Arch '25


Kumru Emine Taha, CC ‘25
Zackary Eugene Bryson, M.Arch '24
Andrew Chee, M.Arch '24
Sarah Hejazin, MS.AAD '21
Bisher Tabaa, M.Arch '23
Saba Ardeshiri, M.Arch '23
Jennah Christina Jones, M.Arch '23
Mariami Maghlakelidze, MS.AAD '21
Reem Makkawi, M.Arch '22

Recent News

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GSAPP Conversations:
Natural Materials Mini Series with Lola Ben-Alon

Over the Fall 2020 semester, Assistant Professor Lola Ben-Alon hosted a mini-series on natural and living building materials as part of the GSAPP Conversations podcast. The Natural Materials mini-series consists of conversations with designers, builders, and product developers of clay, bamboo, fibers, and bacterial concrete. Natural materials are defined as minimally processed, readily available, nontoxic, healthy, and engaging materials. They are critically needed to reduce carbon emissions and extractive harmful impact associated with conventional building materials.