CRATERRE
CRAterre is an international research centre founded in 1979 in Grenoble, France, within the National Superior School of Architecture (ENSAG). The name 'CRAterre' refers to the longer form of the name: 'International Center for Earthen Construction'. As its name suggests it promotes the sustainable, eco-friendly construction technology and building practices of earthen architecture (rammed earth, cob, wattle and daub, adobe, etc.) and the preservation of cultural heritage by promoting. CRAterre has led UNESCO's “Earthen architecture, construction cultures and sustainable development” branch since 1998. The interdisciplinary team of around 30 researchers, professionals and trainers seeks for a progressive approach that always tries to analyse the full context, looking for synergies between the engineering and the cultural aspects, as well as the ecological and societal ones. Over the past more than 40 years CRAterre has done and achieved a lot in the recognition of earth as a raw building material for the purpose of the building and maintenance of modern homes by thoroughly analysing and documenting the beneficial parameters and real values of it. Being pioneers in the field, they have contributed a lot to the introduction of the proper usage to generations of architects up to this time. As a result of such an approach, also shared with a great number of international partners and similar initiatives, earthen structures can now be associated with modernity, progress and comfort instead of poverty, unhealthiness and obsoletion, while remaining affordable, easily accessible and respectful to the traditions at the same time.
Research and heritage enhancement
The Research Laboratory of the centre received its habilitation in 1986 and from 2010 on it has been developing a cooperation with another research centre and laboratory called 'Constructive Cultures'. The joint laboratory of the two units was officially recognised in 2015 by the HCERES (High Council for the Evaluation of Research and Higher Education) under the name AE&CC Research Unit "Architecture, Environment and Constructive Culture". The AE&CC works as part of Université Grenoble Alpes, University of Innovation. The research objectives of the AE&CC are described by three axes: HERITAGE, MATERIALS and HABITAT.
The axis of HERITAGE is taken into consideration by the centre with its cultural and historical diversities, that means the phenomenon covers a great area both timewise and geographically: from the neolithic to contemporary times, finding interesting research areas not only in France and Europe, but also in Africa, Asia and America. Similarly to the boundlessness regarding space and time, according to the laboratory heritage is represented by both its material forms and its immaterial features. Every heritage-related project has two kinds of objectives. At the first phase the goal is to identify, analyse and evaluate the architectural values of an object or an urban setting. The following types of projects fall into this category:
- World Heritage Earthen Architecture Program (WHEAP) realised together with the UNESCO World Heritage Center;
- a conservation and development programme realised in the Auvergne Rhône-Alpes region;
- assistance to inscribing earthen architectural sites on the World Heritage List.
As a second phase the goal is to design the possible development of the individual objects. Example project types for this phase:
- 'Learning from vernacular' (continuation of the VERSUS project): experiments and development of proposed methods;
- Analysis of the degradations in the framework of post-disaster situations;
- 'World Heritage, an effective valuation tool?' - a project delivered in cooperation with UNESCO and ICOMOS.
When talking about MATERIALS - the second axis -, AE&CC means a complete production chain by this, from the raw materials to the different outputs within or as the final result of the chain. The research always starts examining the chain from the location of the source of the raw materials, then following the processes, how they turn to complex materials, to structures, then to buildings and finally to human settlements. The investigation tries to analyse the prism of territorial development, seeking for the role of male and female actors in the processes and the benefits arriving from the different cycles. The objectives of the 'Materials' axis are the following:
- Identifying the resources, the know-how and the production chains in the area of examination;
- Characterising and standardising each construction techniques;
- Exploring the potential uses of new resources in construction.
Finally as part of the HABITAT axis the artificial living spaces - created from the building materials with the help of the building technique - are examined: how they interact with the natural environment, with the vegetation and all the surroundings and what the impacts of the two are on each other. There objectives of the axis are the following:
- Finding solutions for the greater access to affordable earthen housing by developing the most economical typologies, also retro-fitting the building technology to be able to use them in a post-disaster situation, if needed;
- Studying if different areas, locations are sufficient for human settlements and in which way they can be utilised;
- Analysing the potential of using new tools, practices and models in the project management of habitat projects.
Education
The centre offers a variety of training programs for professionals in the architecture and construction industries. These programs include workshops, seminars, and hands-on training sessions that teach participants about sustainable building practices and traditional construction techniques. The goal is to empower architects and builders with the knowledge and skills they need to create sustainable structures that respect cultural heritage. CRAterre has been offering a Post-Master's degree course on earthen architecture since 1984. The DSA Earthen Architecture is a two-year programme leading to a diploma issued by the French Ministry of Culture and Communication.
Further activities
CRAterre has published a lot of articles and books over the years. Its main publication material of Craterre is still 'Traité de Construction en terre' - 'Earth Construction: A Comprehensive Guidebook' (by Hugo Houben and Hubert Guillaud), which was first published in 1989 and translated into many languages, first to English, Spanish and Russian, becoming a reference book worldwide. Since then it was republished multiple times, the latest edition in 2020, reviewing and updating the original material by sharing even more about the gained experiences and delivered activities.
The institution has also achieved a lot in the dissemination of its work and outputs by issuing media productions, publishing books and articles and by organising the Grains of Isère, the international festival of earthen constructions, also a number of exhibitions and seminars. CRAterre-ENSAG also has a unique documentation centre, that holds more than 18,000 printed documents, illustrations and media contents all connected to earthen constructions and architecture from all over the world.
Links:
https://www.grenoble.archi.fr/
http://www.craterre.org/