Visiting Lecturer – Master of Architecture, Norwich University of the Arts

FibreBroad: Sustainable Architecture Through Paludiculture and 3D Printing

As a visiting lecturer on the MA Architecture course at Norwich University of the Arts, I led a pioneering research-led practical design project exploring sustainable building materials through digital fabrication. In collaboration with the Broads Authority in Norfolk, the 'FibreBroad' project focused on paludiculture—the cultivation of wetland crops—as a regenerative approach to material sourcing.

Students worked with natural fibres from bulrush (Typha latifolia), harvested from wetlands, and developed innovative biomaterial recipes for 3D printing. These included waste streams such as used tea leaves, fruit peels, coconut husks, and eggshells. The work culminated in a series of speculative architectural components and product designs.

The project encouraged students to think critically about architecture's role in the climate crisis, experimenting with low-impact materials and circular design principles. This hands-on research showcases the potential of bio-based materials to redefine sustainable practices in the built environment.