What shifts are emerging in architectural practice today? Which materials, forms of knowledge and policy frameworks are shaping a more ecological building culture? In a new podcast series, the VAi and BC architects, studies and materials set out to explore innovative perspectives on architecture and building.Through conversations with architects, artists, contractors and researchers, they explore how bio-, geo- and urban materials are enabling new ways of thinking and designing.
Material Shift is a new podcast series produced by the VAi in collaboration with BC architects, studies and materials.
Hosted by Hülya Ertas (VAi), the series brings architects, artists, contractors and researchers who work first-hand with circular, bio-based and earth materials to the microphone, to talk about what these materials mean for the future of construction and for its aesthetic perception. What do these materials mean for the future of construction and for the aesthetic experience of buildings? The focus is not only on theory, but above all on practice: how is a growing ecological awareness being translated today into design, the use of materials and construction processes?
The first season, New Aesthetics, examines the material culture behind a building’s appearance and experience: what happens when architecture moves away from glossy, energy-intensive finishes and focuses on materials that are reused, natural or cultivated?
The following two seasons will also explore knowledge, territories and policy. Together, these discussions will further map out the fundamental shifts currently taking place within architectural thought and practice.
# 1: Designing with Nature: available from 13 October 2026
Architect Nicky Vancaudenberg (AgwA), contractor and designer Karel Loontiens (Aardig Gedacht & Studio Loho) and material researcher Theresa Zschäbitz (Bauhaus Earth) share first-hand stories on reuse, embodied energy and the importance of natural building materials, and what these mean for how architecture looks and feels
#2: New Material Languages: available from 10 November 2026
Summer Islam (Material Cultures, London), Corentin Dalon (Bento, Brussels) and Emma van der Leest (Blue City Lab, Rotterdam) in conversation on the labour, cost and aesthetical language of building with natural materials.
#3: Pioneering Practices: available from 15 December 2026
Lydia Kallipoliti (Columbia GSAPP), Julian Ramirez Araujo (Taller Material) and Diana Campbell (Samdani Art Foundation) on houses as living, metabolic systems, and on what art and indigenous knowledge can teach architecture about materials that breathe, decay and are cared for rather than maintained.
This podcast series was produced as part of the Erasmus+ project ACCEL: Architects in Circular Construction Elevated Learning, a collaboration between Amàco (L'atelier matières à construire), ULB, RWTH Aachen, BC architects & studies and the Flanders Architecture Institute (VAi).
Season 1: New Aesthetics
#1: Designing with Nature
guest speakers: Nicky Vancaudenberg (AgwA), Karel Loontiens (Aardig Gedacht & Studio Loho) and Theresa Zschäbitz (Bauhaus Earth)
#2: New Material Languages
guest speakers: Summer Islam (Material Cultures), Corentin Dalon (Bento Architecture) and Emma van der Leest (Blue City Lab)
#3: Pioneering Practices
guest speakers: Lydia Kallipoliti (Columbia GSAPP), Julian Ramirez Araujo (Taller Material) and Diana Campbell (Samdani Art Foundation)
Host: Hülya Ertas
Language: English
Distribution: Listen on Spotify, YouTube
Coordination: Hülya Ertas (VAi) and Farah Fervel (BC architects, studies and materials)
Production, recording and editing: Laurens Desmet, De Podcastmobiel
Project: ACCEL, Architects in Circular Construction Elevated Learning
With the support of: Erasmus+
In collaboration with: BC architects, studies and materials, Amàco (L'atelier matières à construire), the Université libre de Bruxelles (ULB), RWTH Aachen University and the Flanders Architecture Institute (VAi).
