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.

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?

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.

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

We are happy to announce to all friends of Bi0n that we now have set the date for the conference in Sweden. We will gather all partners and the knowledge from our 6 years of experimental building! So save the date and join us in Stockholm.

Apply for our next building workshop in Portugal!

Apply now to participate in Design and Build for Disassembly. A two week building workshop in San Ginesio, Macerata, Italy

The workshop main focus is to build for Disassembly, with reused and recycled materials. A great way to lower the impact on the climate, and upcycle materials to becoming useful again. The workshop will be held in San Genesio, Macerata, Italy on the 19-30th of July.

More information on how to participate coming shortly!

We have looked at allt the partners different approaches, lessons and aspirations on people-led development. By using the experiences from Bi0n I, the training conclude some ways for the partners to improve the placemaking process and further strengthen people-led development.

We are gathering the feedback from different actors that took part in building the cordwood building in Sweden in 2017. Revisiting the structure and recalling the work makes us proud of the communal effort, a true team completed it! It has been interesting to follow the development and especially how the building is a piece of a larger puzzle of locally produced food.

It is great to see the structures after 2-4 years, how they aged and how the materials received their natural patina, the colors have shifted and the structure has its own unique character. We are currently doing a follow-up on our experimental buildings from Bi0n I, revisiting the structure and evaluating the work from the technical-, social- and learning approach.

We now have over 4700 downloads of our work! The guides are made available online to share knowledge and hopefully inspire more communities to take on bio-constructions.

Because of the current unpredictable future, we advise you to follow our calendar and the updates as the situation changes quickly. We hope to run all planned events and workshops, but the times may be altered due to the situation.