Lavaforming: the project that proposes the use of volcanic lava as a building material

The project will be presented at the Biennale Architettura 2025, to be held in Venice next year.
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Lavaforming: el proyecto que propone el uso de lava volcánica como material de construcción

In the not-too-distant future, cities could be built with materials that come directly from the earth’s crust, such as volcanic lava, for example. This is the concept behind “Lavaforming,” a project that imagines a world where architecture and nature work in harmony to create sustainable and futuristic structures.

Against this backdrop, an architect from Iceland named Arnhildur Pálmadóttir explores how to transform lava flows into the basis for entire cities, setting a precedent in sustainable design and the use of natural resources.

Volcanic lava as a building material

Imagine a building that is formed directly from molten rock, shaped by the forces of nature and built with the geothermal energy of the environment. This is what Pálmadóttir is proposing with her “Lavaforming” project. Inspired by the ancient volcanic eruptions that shaped the Icelandic landscape during the time of Snorri Sturluson, this project sets out a vision for the year 2150, where volcanic lava becomes the main building material.

“In our history,” he explains, “we have managed to harness lava flow, just as we did with geothermal energy 200 years ago in Iceland.” This proposal aims to show how architecture can be a force that rethinks and shapes a more sustainable future, rather than simply building structures.

Today, the construction construction industry industry relies heavily on the extraction of materials and the generation of non-renewable energy, which contributes to climate change. climate changeico and the depletion of natural resources. However, “Lavaforming” offers a radical alternative: utilizing a natural and renewable resource that lies directly beneath our feet. Lava flow is not only abundant in volcanic areas, but can also contain enough material to lay the foundations of a city in a matter of weeks.

This would eliminate the need for traditional mining methods and reduce the environmental footprint of construction. In addition, the use of geothermal geothermal energy to transform lava into building material is a step towards creating truly sustainable cities.

Undoubtedly, the concept of “Lavaforming” opens the door to a world where architecture and nature come together to create cities that, in addition to being sustainable, would also be surprising and full of history. By harnessing the materials and energy provided by the environment, architects are bringing about a revolution in the way we conceive of urban design and construction.

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Source: Lavaforming

Photo: shutterstock

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