cibicworkshop: cultivating a house

presented at MADE expo 2012, the full-scale installation by milano-based cibicworkshop consists of two houses built with innovative solutions: the technology of hemp and the dry construction system supported by metal frames. with the reflection on construction materials with a low carbon footprint being the main aspect of the company’s experimental research, the first home made from hemp represents the exploration of contemporary architectural construction with the use of natural materials. originally a key element in italian agricultural history, the plant provided new economies within the region with the latest environmental and energy-performing requirements.

cultivating a house: hemp house

the secondary conception is realized with a dry construction system in a metal frame formation, which juxtaposes a technical solution which merges constructive – energetic performance with a radically reduced building time. it ultimately allows the utilization of traditional materials in a new way obtaining a completely recyclable, solid and anti-seismic building.

left: hemp fields in front of a hemp house
right: iron frame house

cultivating a house: hemp wall and red concrete

cultivating a house: hemp fields in front of a hemp house

cultivating a house: iron frame house interior

cultivating a house: iron frame house interior

cultivating a house: natural resin bathroom

cultivating a house: materials and energy solutions diagram

cultivating a house: energy performance in different climate regions

designboom has received this project from our ‘DIY submissions‘ feature, where we welcome our readers to submit their own work for publication. see more project submissions from our readers here