As contemporary building practices have become more mechanized, the human connection to craft, material, and the collective act of making has been lost, isolating communities from the very processes that construct their own environments. Unlearning the Machine proposes a earthen-based plaster that is more earthquake- and fire-resistant than contemporary building materials, positioning natural building as a viable alternative to industrial construction methods. The project demonstrates how resilient earthen construction is not only an environmental solution but also a cultural tool that can rebuild both physical infrastructure and community, restoring humanity to the act of making while supporting ecological and disaster resilience.
