House of Arts České Budějovice: Refined Earth
During the summer months of 2017, the House of Art České Budějovice in the Czech Republic dedicated itself to a topic that is as old as it is current: building with earth. The exhibition presented Martin Rauch, one of the most influential figures in contemporary earth building in Europe. For over 30 years, he has been researching and developing new techniques in rammed earth construction with his company Lehm Ton Erde – always with the aim of combining precision craftsmanship, aesthetic standards and ecological responsibility.
The exhibition presented selected architectural projects and artistic works created in collaboration with renowned architecture firms and artists such as Herzog & de Meuron, Marte.Marte, Olafur Eliasson and Simon Starling. The focus was on both the technical innovation and the creative power of clay as a building material.
In addition to models, plans and photographs, the exhibition, which was specially designed for the rooms of the Haus der Kunst, also included rammed earth works created on site. These were realized as part of a workshop with architecture students under the direction of Martin Rauch directly during the construction period of the exhibition in České Budějovice.
Clemens Quirin, Martin Rauch, Sebastian Rauch & Michal Škoda
