BC Materials

BC materials is a pioneering organization dedicated to transforming excavated earth, traditionally considered waste, into sustainable and circular building materials. By locally processing these earths into products such as clay plasters, compressed earth blocks, and rammed earth, BC materials offers CO₂-neutral solutions that contribute to a healthy interior climate. These materials can be returned to the earth or remanufactured, ensuring an infinite circular process. Established in October 2018 as a workers' cooperative, BC materials emerged from the activities of BC architects and BC studies, founded by Ken De Cooman, Nicolas Coeckelberghs, Laurens Bekemans, and Wes Degreef. Initially focusing on urban mining in Europe, the organization transformed excavated earth from Brussels' construction sites into new building materials, effectively bridging the gap between site waste and finished products. Over time, BC materials has evolved into a comprehensive material development hub, expanding its research and development beyond earth to include a wide array of building materials sourced from geo, bio, and urban matter. This includes materials such as algae, cork, hops, sunflower, construction glass, and stone cutting waste. Continuous innovation through bespoke projects drives the development of new materials, with scalable solutions incorporated into the standard product portfolio. A notable example of this process is the launch of Léém in 2023, a standardized line of earth materials designed to make circular building accessible to a broader market. This achievement was realized through strategic collaborations with industrial partners, including Brickz for commercialization, and Vande Moortel and Claesen Betonbedrijf for large-scale production. BC materials operates as part of BC architects & studies & materials, a hybrid practice committed to systemic change in the construction sector. The organization strives for bioregional, low-tech, circular, beautiful, and inclusive design, engaging in activities such as community organization, material production, contracting, teaching, and prototyping. Through these efforts, BC materials aims to positively impact both people and the planet.