Back to nature: furniture made from rediscovered traditional materials

A growing number of young talents in industrial design are devoting themselves to material research and creating an innovative recycling and upcycling sector. Sonja Heary Keller, for example, makes objects from a material usually considered waste. Guess what she recycled for her diploma project Terraforma at the Zurich University of the Arts (ZHdK) – and why.

Guessing time

The material in question used to be a traditional building material. During the industrialisation, however, it’s image suffered because it was regarded as the building material of the «poor». Following that, it was largely replaced by other resources. According to Keller, 18.8 million cubic metres of this recyclable, naturally occurring and locally available material annually end up in landfills in Switzerland. And this in spite of its many advantages. It regulates moisture, stores heat, filters pollutants, neutralises odours and insulates sound. What’s more, the material is versatile and can be designed in different textures and colours.

The big reveal

Terraforma’s bringing clay back to life. The project aims to highlight the versatility and potential of this underestimated material for indoor spaces and foster its recognition as an authentic material. «Every construction site excavates large quantities of loamy material, which often ends up unused in landfills,» says Keller. But its availability and properties make it an attractive alternative to other materials.

By using clay in residential and commercial indoor spaces, the industrial designer wants to highlight how this natural material can create a pleasant atmosphere. «The interdisciplinary exchange allowed me to discover the rammed earth process in all its facets. Terraforma then became the starting point for new forms, dimensions and areas of use.»

In a gallery, for example, clay could be used for its humidity- and temperature-regulating properties to better preserves sensitive exhibits. It also neutralises odours. This could improve the visitor experience overall. Because of its soundproofing properties, the material can also have a positive effect in bedrooms or restaurants and contributes to good air quality. «Using clay in semi-public spaces could help increase the acceptance and popularity of the material in society.»