A Brick for Venice
A research project to design, prototype and test a new low-carbon brick, made using the silt that is dredged from the Venice canals.
![](https://localworksstudio.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Tresse-Aerial-Zoom-Out-copy.jpg)
Local Works Studio were asked to develop a new brick by the architects Urban Radicals and the Structural Engineers AKT II. The brick was used to build a temporary Pavillon as part of the European Cultural Centre’s ‘Time Space Existence’ programme during the 2023 Venice Architecture Biennale.
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The canals of Venice are frequently dredged to remove large quantities of silt that build-up over time. This material has been used to form a new, uninhabited island in the Venice lagoon – Isola delle Tresse.
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![](https://localworksstudio.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/IMG_9369-copy.jpg)
Silt material was collected from the island, analysed, mixed with other local waste aggregates and prototyped as a new brick. The bricks were made using a hydraulic press, and were not fired in a kiln.
![](https://localworksstudio.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/IMG_9424-copy.jpeg)
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Our material design and making techniques were replicated by brick-makers in Venice to fabricate the bricks for the Pavilion, designed by Urban Radicals and AKT II.
![](https://localworksstudio.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/UR_ABFV_Detail01_Credit-UR-copy.jpg)
Architects: Urban Radicals
Material design, prototyping and testing: Local Works Studio
Structural Engineer: AKT II
Client: European Cultural Centre, Tyrens foundation
Featured in: Archdaily, Design Museum (How to Build a Low-Carbon Home exhibition July 2023), Time Space Existence 2023, Domus, Monocle, Dezeen Sustainability award Longlist 2023.