About
Kuidas.works is a research-based design studio located in Tallinn, Estonia. The studio, functioning as an NGO, is currently investigating the potential applications of earth and construction waste as a building material in a site-specific context. Our work has been featured in Archdaily, Dezeen, Archello, Hype&Hyper, World Architecture Community.
The studio was founded by Andrea Tamm, Maria Helena Luiga, Hannes Praks, and Henri Papson, with Sven Samyn being the latest addition to the team.
Contact
If you’d like to discuss a project with us or simply get in touch please send us an email at info(at)kuidas.works.
For internships, workshops, or collaborations, please fill out our Interest form.
Instagram: kuidas.works
Linkedin: kuidas.works
Services
Design & Fabrication
We have over 20 years of spatial design and project planning experience. From architectural scale to furniture, we provide a wide range of design services. To ensure thorough and unique results, we use a highly personalised research-based design approach. In addition to design we also offer project specific material development and fabrication.
Lectures & Workshops
We are working on a series of team-building workshops that offer something mental, something physical, and something fun. The workshop's goal is to get us out of our comfort zones and to take matters into our own hands.
Consulting & Advisory
With a foundation in academia and a methodology based on research, we are highly driven to provide consultations on the possibilities of ecological design, production, and building materials.
Framework
Origins
A growing focus within contemporary architectural discourse is the repurposing of existing structures. This shift reflects an inclination to prioritize sustainable practices by maximizing the use of current buildings, rather than constructing new ones, aligning architectural processes more closely with sustainability principles.
Methodology
At the core of our work is the utilization of earth and construction waste as building materials, tailored to the distinct conditions of each site and the preferences of our clients. Collaboration plays a crucial role in our methodology. Working alongside specialists such as UKU Pure Earth, Eestimaaehitus – Competence Center for Ecological Building, and in coordination with other prominent local sustainable and traditional construction companies, we combine diverse expertise. Practical insights derived from these partnerships, along with our public workshops, steer the prototyping process, assessing how designs align with material properties and specific site conditions.
Analysis
For architects, developers, and other potential clients, understanding the properties of materials is essential. Through our partnerships with the Department of Geology at the University of Tartu and TTK University of Applied Sciences, we conduct in-depth studies to explore the physical characteristics and structural capabilities of earth and construction waste. These materials are analyzed for their potential in architectural projects adapted to each unique location.
In Practice
Assessment
Beyond material selection, our sustainability initiatives encompass a detailed, site-specific evaluation. Environmental life cycle assessments (LCAs) are conducted to quantify the environmental burdens associated with the materials, utilizing metrics such as greenhouse gas emissions, resource consumption rates, and waste production. This methodological approach ensures that the architectural outcomes are not only in line with client specifications but also consistent with widely-recognized sustainability benchmarks and criteria.
Applications
The practical implementation of research is a central focus for the lab. Actively working on topics that bridge design principles with innovative material use, the LAB delves into projects that have real-world, site-specific implications. An exemplar of this is a research endeavor undertaken in 2022, which aimed to explore the potential use of excavation leftovers from new real estate developments in Tallinn, Estonia, specifically those from Sõpruse pst.
The research led to the development of a range of finishing materials under the name "Mustamäe Gray". These products, formulated from a blend of excavation residues, crushed concrete, and limestone production byproducts, offer a sustainable solution to construction waste.
Prospects
The future of the lab's research in sustainable architecture is intertwined with the evolving needs of clients and the architectural field at large. Our principal aim is to apply our sustainable architectural research to projects within the public sector. Venturing into this domain presents unique challenges and opportunities, requiring adaptation and innovation in our methodologies. By harnessing the potential of repurposed construction materials, we seek to meet the demands of larger public infrastructures while ensuring environmental responsibility.