Natural Materials in Architecture and Interior Design

Natural Materials in Architecture and Interior Design is a hands-on course that presents a broad range of possibilities for using natural materials in contemporary architecture and interior design.

The course provides an in-depth introduction to earth and natural fibers as building materials, exploring their suitability for different elements and phases of architectural design and construction.

Participants will explore a wide spectrum of applications, including structural walls made of rammed earth or straw bales, wall infills using straw or hemp, earthen floors and ceilings and natural insulation made from cork, wooden fibers, or straw. Additional topics include reed as a roof covering, clay plasters for interior finishes and furniture design using materials such as bamboo or earth.

While the curriculum covers a variety of natural materials, the practical part focuses primarily on earth and straw, two closely related materials that are gaining significant attention as sustainable alternatives to conventional building materials. Through hands-on experimentation, participants will create small-scale samples using building techniques such as adobe bricks, rammed earth, wattle and daub, light clay, and clay plastering.

The overall goal of the course is to create an atlas of possibilities, providing participants with clear direction for the use of natural materials and a structured foundation for further learning and experimentation.

The course is structured as two intensive sessions, each lasting 8 hours. Each day will begin with a theoretical introduction, followed by a longer practical session. There will be time for a lunch break in between. It will be conducted in English.

The program is primarily intended for students and anyone interested who works in the fields of architecture, design, civil engineering, and related disciplines.

To apply for the course, fill out the form at the link and include your motivation for participating. Applications are open until Tuesday, March 31, and applicants will be informed about the selection no later than Friday, April 2.

Apply here: https://form.jotform.com/260632762543053

The program is part of the Craftwork4.0All project activities, which is financially supported by the Creative Europe programme of the European Commission. This support allows the program to be offered free of charge to participants.

About the mentor

Katarina Živković is an architect from Belgrade. Her work focuses on the intersection of contemporary architecture and vernacular building techniques. She explores traditional craft-based approaches to construction and the use of natural materials, particularly earth and straw.

Alongside her architectural practice, she also lectures and leads hands-on workshops and courses. In Slovenia, she collaborated on the Materially Based project, where she gave a lecture on thatched roofs and served as a mentor in the Material, Context, Society workshop.

During a residency in Portugal, within the project Kilim from the Kiln, she researched the technique of handcrafted bricks. In 2023, as one of the first residents at Center Rog, she helped establish the Green Lab.

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Participants should gather in the entrance hall of the Rog Center 15 minutes before the agreed time. Please store your personal belongings in the lockers, which will be shown to you by your mentor. Please do not be late for the program, as this disrupts the work process. In case of late arrival, we unfortunately cannot guarantee entry to the lab.

In case of cancellation, we will notify you two days before the scheduled start.

In case of cancellation, we will notify you two days before the scheduled start date.

If you are unable to attend the program, we do not refund the fee, nor is it possible to change the date. You can transfer your participation to another person, but please notify us at least 24 hours before the start of the program at info@center-rog.si.

The program is intended for people over the age of 14.

We look forward to your company and creating together.