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Earth and Fibers
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02 November 2026

Earth and plant fibers—uncooked, untreated, uncalcined, and raw—form the focus of this transdisciplinary exploration of architecture, combining recipes, life-cycle thinking, and fabrication to rethink the role of materials in the built environment. Drawing on practical design and experimental research as well as case studies, diagrams, and data, the book illustrates how working with earth and fibers can inspire building practices that are both innovative and deeply rooted in tradition. By connecting technical insight with cultural and environmental perspectives, this book positions earth-fiber materials as a critical lens through which architecture engages with matter, craft, and ecological systems.
- Richly illustrated with extensive diagrams, data, and case studies
- Insights into experimental and groundbreaking materials research
- Briding scientific approaches with architectural practice
Lola Ben-Alon, PhD, Associate AIA, LEED AP BC+D, is an Assistant Professor at Columbia GSAPP, where she directs the Natural Materials Lab and the Building Science and Technology curriculum.
Lola Ben-Alon, PhD, Associate AIA, LEED AP BC+D, is an Assistant Professor at Columbia GSAPP, where she directs the Natural Materials Lab and the Building Science and Technology curriculum.