BIØN is a network of organisations active in low-impact building techniques. We aim to share knowledge, practices and experiences to contribute to the built environment and our communities. Listen in to our diverse European network when we share our perspectives on building with natural materials, creating circular designs and working closely with the local communities.

How can we build with straw? In a workshop in Villasbuenas de Gata, Spain, Actyva-MIGA built a strawbale building for the local community. Prefabricated straw panels were made and assembled on-site. Walls were plastered with clay and lime renders.

In this building workshop in Benevento, Italy, Ak0 experimented with rammed earth and prefabricated wall elements in rammed earth. Check out all our tutorial videos on rammed earth to learn how to make the formwork, mix, ramming, assemble and coating.

We explored Poured Earth mixtures, innovative formwork, different patterns and imprints, building large prototypes, and finishing by building a 1:1 wall. Check out all our tutorial videos on poured earth.

Our Italian partner AK0 - architettura a kilometro zero is running a training program for sustainable architecture in Côte d'Ivoire. Practical workshops are at the base of a series of activities that aim at promoting the use of renewable building techniques in the rural areas of the West-African country.

In the design and build workshop in San Ginesio, ARCó organised a workshop following circular building strategies. Urban furniture was built from reused and recycled materials. The “design for disassembly strategy” aims to aid deconstruction (demolition) through planning and design. It allows components and materials to be removed more easily, facilitating their subsequent reuse.

The workshop building with Cane, by CanyaViva demonstrated the different steps. Harvesting, cleaning and classifying the cane. Making the arches and assembling, mounting and thatching.

During the workshops 2017-2018, 6 experimental buildings were constructed. Each represents a different technique and organisation. We have now followed our buildings, and the communities, to learn from the process. What has worked well? How have the materials aged, any issues or reflections on the techniques?

Two days of seminar on sustainable building and housing held at the University Grenoble-Alpes. LearnBIØN has been discussed as strategic tool to bring sustainable building choices into active communities in Europe.

Alessio Battistella from our partner organisation ARCò had the opportunity to present the experience gathered during six years of LearnBIØN program at the 32nd International Seminar and Award in Architecture and Urban Culture in Camerino, Italy.

The exhibition on the Bi0n network is coming to an end!

Thank you all for contributing your work and building new practices. We will now move out of Open studio at Färgfabriken, very satisfied with having shared our work in the Stockholm area. Thank you all!

All partners gathered in Stockholm for an intense work session on future plans for the network. We summarised the learnings from the partners and reflected on improvements to strengthen circular building practices all across Europe.

On Friday 17th June 2022, AES Studio’s Anna Sundman and Emily Aquilina hosted the international Conference ‘Down to Earth’ at Färgfabriken in Stockholm, Sweden. The event focused on the current practice and future possibilities for sustainability in the architectural and construction industries. Gaining insights into the practical knowledge, built work and natural/circular material innovations of BIØN, the Building Impact Zero Network, produced over a six-year European funded project.

BASEhabitat invited Tânia Teixeira to speak at a theory lecture for the University of Linz under the title Working in Networks - BIØN Building Impact Zero Network.

Building Impact Zero Network finishes 6 years of experimental building with circular materials, and now we want to share it with you! In a full day conference we will share our practical explorations in biological- and low-impact building techniques and all the surrounding knowledge of people-led movements, cooperative strength and the latest on earth building research

Doing the thatch cover to the cane structure at LearnBI0N Design and Build with Cane workshop

After building columns its time to mount the arches during LearnBI0N Design and Build with Cane workshop

Building columns and arches during LearnBI0N Design and Build with Cane workshop

Clean and class canes during LearnBI0N Design and Build with Cane workshop

Cane harvesting in preparation for the LearnBI0N Design and Build with Cane workshop