A
Absolute CINARK: Tectonic Ecologies in Architecture
Researcher
Anne Beim
Research unit
Center for Industrial Architecture - CINARK
ABSOLUTE CINARK: Tectonic Ecologies in Architecture proposes radical tectonic strategies as a counterpoint to conventional solutions in contemporary construction. The aim is to achieve absolutely sustainable constructions that include regenerative materials and building methods, effectively bridging craftsmanship and industry.
The two 1:1 hybrid structures consist of fire-tested biogenic materials, fired and unfired clay- and brick blocks, and recycled straw components. Through these, we test alternative construction and industrialized methods, while examining the composition and durability of the materials.
The two 1:1 hybrid structures synthesize several research projects. They present a distillation of tectonic theories and research findings, employing both technical and artistic modes of investigation. The aim is to address critical ecological agendas—which CINARK has been exploring for two decades within both the construction industry and society as a whole.
Our ambition is to support and catalyze an absolutely sustainable approach to present day architecture.
Research Motivation
For two decades, fundamental questions have driven CINARK’s research: How is architecture built? What materials and methods are employed? And how can we limit the consumption of energy and resources, as well as minimizing pollution and waste?
Our driving force is a mix of curiosity and a desire to effect fundamental change - through research - within a construction and architectural sector currently entrenched in a fossil-fuel-based paradigm.
Our driving force is a mix of curiosity and a desire to effect fundamental change - through research - within a construction and architectural sector currently entrenched in a fossil-fuel-based paradigm.
Hybrid construction – brick, unfired clay, timber. Photo: Nini Leimand
Sketches for hybrid construction. Photo: Nini Leimand
Thatched brick blocks. Photo: Anne Beim
Thatched elements. Photo: Rasmus Hjorthøj
Hybrid constructions. Photo: Nini Leimand
Experiments with thatching reed. Photo: Anne Beim
Internal partners
Nini Leimand (Associate Professor), Johannes Schotanus (Teaching Associate Professor), Thorbjørn Lønberg Petersen (Industrial Postdoc), Lykke Arnfred (PhD Research Fellow), Magnus Reffs Kramhøft (Industrial PhD), Jakob Ryle Tamstorf (Student Worker), Line Kjær Frederiksen (Assistant Professor)
External partners
Thomas Gerner (Tækkefirmaet Horneby), Ruud Conijn (Hemmed Tækkefirma), Frederik Lind (Enemærke & Petersen), Lars Keller (EcoCocon), Mia Fossing Frederiksen (DBI), Sven Jon Jonsen (Architect), Steffan Frederiksen (Bricklayer/Architectural Technologist), Jesper Fuglsang (Egernsund/Wienerberger), MUDP (Environmental Technology Development and Demonstration Programme, Danish Environmental Protection Agency), Danish Arts Foundation
Bibliography
Bibliography
Open Access
[1]
The Biogenic Prefabricated Facade. København: Det Kongelige Akademi, 2025. [Online]. Available: https://issuu.com/cinark/docs/the_biogenic_facade_-_deserta_ecofolie
[2]
Teknik og Arkitektur: mod en bedre byggeskik. København: Det Kongelige Akademi, 2022. [Online]. Available: https://issuu.com/cinark/docs/teknik_og_arkitektur_091221_low_rettet_s_49
[3]
Genbyggestudier. København: Kunstakademiets Arkitektskole, Institut 1, 2015. [Online]. Available: https://issuu.com/cinark/docs/genbyggestudier_ind_170116_low_03_r
[4]
M. Thomassen, P. Munch-Petersen, and T. Lønberg Petersen, Innovation of Nothing: The Capabilities Needed to Lead Sustainable Change in the Built Environment., vol. 1. København: Det Kongelige Akademi - institut for bygningskunst og teknologi, 2023. [Online]. Available: https://realdania.dk/viden-og-laering/vidensbibliotek/publikationer/faglige-publikationer/innovation-of-nothing
[5]
T. Lønberg Petersen, ‘Practicing Architecture with Care: An Investigation into Architectural Strategies and Environmental Perspective Beyond Metrics’, PhD thesis, Det Kongelige Akademi, 2025. [Online]. Available: https://adk.elsevierpure.com/da/publications/practicing-architecture-with-care-an-investigation-into-architect/
[6]
N. Leimand and K. A. F. Skoog, Anvendt Byggeteknik i Dansk Arkitektur: Blokmurværk. Det Kongelige Akademi, 2022. [Online]. Available: https://issuu.com/cinark/docs/anvendt_byggeteknik_i_dansk_arkitektur_blokmurv_rk
[7]
N. Leimand, Anvendt Byggeteknik i Dansk Arkitektur: Skeletkonstruktion, Træelement. Det Kongelige Akademi, 2022. [Online]. Available: https://issuu.com/cinark/docs/anvendt_byggeteknik_i_dansk_arkitektur_tr_element/4
[8]
N. Leimand, ‘Blokmur-murblok: det beklædte blokmurværks enkle natur og arkitektoniske potentiale’, PhD thesis, Det Kongelige Akademi, København, 2008. [Online]. Available: https://adk.elsevierpure.com/da/publications/blokmur-murblok-det-bekl%C3%A6dte-blokmurv%C3%A6rks-enkle-natur-og-arkitekt/
[9]
H. Ejstrup, L. Kjær Frederiksen, L. Hildebrand, U. Stylsvig Madsen, P. Munch-Petersen, and S. Sköld, Cirkulært Byggeri: Materiale Arkitektur Tektonik. The Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts, Schools of Architecture, Design and Conservation, School of Architecture, KADK: The Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts, Schools of Architecture, Design and Conservation, 2019. [Online]. Available: https://issuu.com/cinark/docs/circular_construction_080919_low
[10]
A. Beim et al., Eds, Biogene materialer - tektoniske og arkitektur. Tre vinkler på biogene materialers egenskaber og deres anvendelse i byggeriet. Det Kongelige Akademi, 2024. [Online]. Available: https://cdn.realdania.dk/media/srmouvgy/biogene-materialer_2024.pdf
Ikke Open Access
[1]
The detail is dead - long live the detail! København: CINARK, 2018. [Online]. Available: https://kadk.dk/case/cinark-symposium-detail-dead-long-live-detail
[2]
A. Beim, U. Stylsvig Madsen, C. Bundgaard, K. Christiansen, T. B. Jensen, and C. Bech-Danielsen, Eds, Towards an ecology of tectonics: the need for rethinking construction in architecture. Stuttgart: Edition Axel Menges, 2014.
[3]
A. Beim, T. Lønberg Petersen, H. Ejstrup, L. Østerby Arnfred, and P. Munch-Petersen, ‘Resolving the Conflict: Constructive Disobedience’, in Constructive Disobediance, M. Ballestrem, K. Benjamin, and H. Blocksdorf, Eds, Basel: Birkhäuser Verlag, Dec. 2024. [Online]. Available: https://constructive-disobedience.com/
[4]
A. Beim et al., Biogenic Construction: Materials Architecture Tectonics. Copenhagen: Det Kongelige Akademi, 2023.
[5]
A. Beim, ‘Introduction: An Ecology of Tectonics’, in Towards an Ecology of Tectonics. The Need for Rethinking Construction in Architecture, A. Beim, U. S. Madsen, C. Bundgaard, K. Christiansen, and T. B. Jensen, Eds, Stuttgart: Edition Axel Menges, 2014, pp. 20–23, 208.
[6]
N. B. Andersen, ‘Hus af lerjord’, in Lerjord, M. H. Mikkelsen, Ed., København: Edition Bløndal, 2022, pp. 74–75.
