ACT!, CLAYA, Ask Holmen & Rikke Winther present borrowed land
Set against the dramatic backdrop of an old stone quarry in Brøtsø, Norway, architecture practice ACT!, Studio Winther together with architect Ask Holmen and CLAYA present Borrowed Land, an installation that explores the symbiotic relationship between architecture, environmental degradation, and the climate crisis. Harnessing rammed earth techniques, the piece creates a tactile, thought-provoking dialogue between built and natural environments.
At the heart of Borrowed Land is the concept of circularity—borrowing resources from the earth and returning them after use. Built from materials sourced from a local landfill, including clay and stones deposited by ancient glaciers, the columns of the artwork highlight the finite nature of natural resources. As rain, wind, and sun interact with the structure, erosion leaves behind intricate variations on the columns, embedding the surrounding climate into the material itself. These processes underscore the message of Borrowed Land: architecture is not merely an act of creation but an intricate borrowing of resources. The weathered columns blend with the quarry, promoting a sense of permanence while also illustrating the ephemerality of human interventions.
images courtesy of ACT!
first rammed earth project in Norway in decades
The installation is situated in an industrial quarry—a site shaped by human intervention and natural forces. This duality is mirrored in the construction process, in which Oslo- and Paris-based studio ACT!, Studio Winther, Ask Holmen and CLAYA compress layers of soil into architectural forms that echo the geological stratification of the site. The project reimagines earth as a contemporary, sustainable construction material by utilizing rammed earth, one of humanity’s oldest building techniques. ‘Earth breathes,’ notes the design team, ‘storing warmth, releasing coldness, and connecting people to their surroundings.’
Winning the first prize of the international Færderbiennale 2024—a festival at the intersection of dance and architecture—Borrowed Land is the first rammed earth project in Norway in decades. While this technique saw limited application between the 1920s and 1970s, much of the knowledge surrounding it has since disappeared. Apart from designing the installation, the project team also sourced and tested materials, crafted specialized tools, and undertook the construction themselves. Their labor-intensive efforts in the challenging Norwegian climate reflect the determination to revive and innovate this age-old building method.
set against the dramatic backdrop of an old stone quarry in Brøtsø, Norway
ACT!, Studio Winther together with architect Ask Holmen and CLAYA, present Borrowed Land
the installation explores the symbiotic relationship between architecture and environmental degradation
borrowing resources from the earth and returning them after use
