BC Materials

In Belgium, 36 million tons of earth are excavated annually on construction sites, with 2 million tons from Brussels alone. 60% of this material ends up as waste due to storage and transportation challenges. BC architects, through their spin-off BC materials, have taken an innovative approach to transform the conventional building culture by reclaiming earth from the ground and repurposing it for new building materials. 

Since 2012, BC has been exploring the relationship between architecture, material production, and the act of building. From the small community in Muyinga, Burundi, to Edegem near Antwerp, they have pioneered the use of locally produced materials, minimizing supply chains and maximizing sustainability. Operating through three distinct entities – BC studies, BC architects, and BC materials – this collective, bypasses regulations by collaborating closely with local craftsmen and communities. By doing so, they not only ensure the execution of their projects but also nourish a sense of ownership and empowerment within the communities they serve.

The origin of BC materials lies in the recognition of the construction sector’s polluting nature. By partnering with the earth-moving sector in Brussels, they have done research and practiced urban mining, reclaiming sand, loam, clay, and gravel from construction sites to create new building materials. The choice of location for their production site at Avenue du Port 104 in the Brussels Canal Zone speaks volumes about their ethos. Built from circular materials, including second-hand concrete tiles, containers, and Legio building blocks, the hangar embodies its commitment to sustainability and innovation.

Currently offering three main products – the Brickette (compressed earth blocks), the Brusseleir (raw earth plaster), and the Kastar (clay concrete) – BC materials are providing alternatives to traditional construction materials. While BC architects are pioneers in their field, they acknowledge the need for scalability and efficiency in their production techniques. Conversations with larger cement-block producers signify their ambition to expand their impact and usher in a new era of bio-based building materials.

In a world increasingly conscious of climate change and environmental degradation, BC architects offer a glimmer of hope. Their emphasis on bioclimatic and circular building practices, combined with a commitment to material innovation, is not just about constructing buildings but about shaping a sustainable future for generations to come. As they continue to push the boundaries of what is possible, BC architects are not just building structures – they are building a methodology for sustainability and resilience.