Dirk Hebel on Cultivating Materials

World-Architects first became aware of the materials research that Hebel and his ETH colleagues having been undertaking when we visited a pavilion he designed for the IDEAS CITY Festival in New York City last year. Made from shredded beverage cartons pressed into wallboards, the striking pavilion featured arched structures resting on wood pallets. That project is visible in this four-minute interview with Hebel, who discusses the broader goals of his research, including the need to grow and cultivate materials rather than mining them.

ABOUT THE INTERVIEW SERIES
Reflecting the conceptual framework of the Global Art Affairs Foundation, the series explores the philosophical concerns of architects exhibiting at TIME SPACE EXISTENCE, part of the 2016 collateral programming at the Biennale Architettura 2016. The diverse roster includes Denise Scott Brown (USA), Peter Eisenman (USA), Curtis W. Fentress (USA), Meinhard von Gerkan (Germany), Dirk Hebel (Switzerland), Frei Otto (Germany), and Wong Mun Summ and Richard Hassell (Singapore). Curated and produced by PLANE—SITE, the video series will be on view for the duration of the TIME SPACE EXISTENCE exhibition. The series is produced by GAA Foundation with the support of the European Cultural Centre.