Building from What’s Broken
Wallmakers is a unique name. How did it come about, and what does it represent for you? When you started, did you imagine it evolving into a practice redefining sustainable architecture?
The name Wallmakers was given to us by others since our very first project was a compound wall. Initially, it was not easy to convince or even find clients interested in building with rammed earth, debris, or discarded items like bottles, so the way ahead didn’t seem easy, but perseverance led us to make our own path, addressing people’s misconceptions and pushing our boundaries
Your approach questions not just “What should we build?” but “Should we build?”—a rare mindset in the industry. How did this philosophy shape your practice, and how does it influence your projects today?
Most of us understand the impact construction has on the planet. Recognising its negative effects is crucial for addressing these challenges. This awareness has driven numerous innovations, including our patented techniques. Rather than relying on depleting resources, we use existing materials such as tyres, plastic, and even discarded toys in our building process. The possibilities are limitless. By identifying and implementing sustainable solutions, managing our embodied energy, and constructing with the environment in mind, we aim to create meaningful and positive change. This commitment to sustainability has been one of our core ideologies from the very beginning, and it remains our primary focus.
Architecture is a collective effort. Can you tell us about the team behind Wallmakers and how their expertise contributes to your projects? How do you integrate local artisans and craftsmen into your work, and what role do they play in shaping your designs?
Every person in the team plays a significant role, from the architects who design to the structural engineers who ensure its structural safety to the construction workers who implement it. The process is inherently a collaborative one. Beyond the core team, we often integrate local artisans and craftsmen when we find such people whose work resonates with our ideologies. Our projects convey the authentic character of their environment through their concept and planning, and when we find earthen pots, furniture or fixtures made by local craftsmen, that help us convey this more effectively, we ensure to incorporate them into the desig
Wallmakers is known for pioneering techniques like the Debris Wall and Shuttered Debris Wall. Can you walk us through how these innovations came to life?
As the saying goes, necessity is the mother of invention. Most of our innovations came to life due to the need to address significant concerns that we came across; for example, a site that had debris dumped by the neighbours urged us to find a way to ‘dispose’ of this without dumping it elsewhere, and this eventually led to the Shuttered Debris Wall. While we are always excited to come up with new strategies, more often than not, such pressing concerns, especially concerning the environment, encourage us to explore further and push the boundaries.
