Raw Earth

At a time when the planet’s limits are under increasing strain, we look to raw earth not as a nostalgic return but as a radical proposition for contemporary architecture in Portugal. The exhibition charts a journey from raw matter to conscious action: from the physical and mineral complexity of soil, through the cultural and technical knowledge accumulated over centuries, to the contemporary practices that reclaim earth as a viable, ethical, and poetic building material. Starting from the ground beneath our feet as matter, archive, and agent, Raw Earth brings together scientific and historical content, prototypes, and contemporary case studies, as well as collaborative and living installations, while examining and reusing earth excavated from urban construction sites in Lisbon. The aim is to foster dialogue among professionals, researchers, and citizens; to give visibility to a quiet yet significant movement in earthen architecture and construction in Portugal; and to contribute to a broader cultural shift towards more sustainable forms of building.

Curator Madalena Vidigal