Louis-Antoine Grégo Architects

Chapter in Circular Economy for the built environement
Building Together with Site Materials
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Abstract.
Based on our everyday practice and a case study focusing on the restoration and expansion of the iconic winery, Domaine de Beaucastel in France, we present a practitioner’s perspective on the circular economy. Analysing the history of the site, from local geology, to human land use, and the buildings constructed over last three centuries led us to constitute the corpus of available materials to build with. We explain how the lack of clay and sand in the actual digging, versus our borehole-based forecast, did recalibrate the formulation of the site rammed concrete, which comprised 50% of the crushed concrete of the former building and 50% of the site excavated earth. Deconstructing the badly constructed building led us to organise a material platform to be used by others when not re-used by ourselves on- site, and how all these processes led us to want to function like a university, being able at the same time to lead singular experimentation, while reporting to the community.
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​Extract from pages 155-156:
A seemingly subtle shift in terminology can reveal a profound shift in philosophy and approach. Thus, we would deliberately employ the phrase “Building Together with the Site Materials” rather than simply “Building with the Site Material.” This linguistic distinction underscores a fundamental ethos that underpins our architectural practice – one rooted in collaboration, reverence, and a deep understanding of the materials that shape our built environment.
The term “Building with” often conjures an image of the practitioner wielding materials at their disposal, shaping them according to their will, regardless of the intrinsic properties and character of those materials. It aligns with the hylomorphic model, which emphasizes the idea of practitioners imposing preconceived forms from the recesses of the mind onto inert material. However, our approach diverges from this notion. As we embark on the journey of creating spaces and structures, we view materials not as passive entities but as active collaborators. In the words of Tim Ingold, eloquently articulated in his masterpiece “Making,” materials become our partners in a creative dialogue. They are not mere resources for manipulation but vital actors in the narrative of construction.
“These materials are what we have to work with, and in the process of making, we ‘join forces’ with them, bringing them together or splitting them apart, synthesizing and distilling, in anticipation of what might emerge,” as Ingold beautifully elucidates (Ingold, 2013). This perspective humbles our ambitions as architects. We do not stand as omnipotent creators, imposing designs on a world waiting to receive them. Instead, we intervene in the ongoing worldly processes, complementing, and enhancing the forces and energies already at play.
“Building Together with the Site Materials” encapsulates our fundamental ethos. It signifies a state of mind – a mindset that embraces the presence and uniqueness of each material in its context. It embodies a curiosity to explore the material’s specificities and its untapped potential. It goes beyond the mere use of site materials; it signifies an active partnership with them.