As a natural building material, clay plaster is one of the oldest building techniques of all – in recent decades it has been rediscovered as a particularly ecological wall coating. Regional and recycled materials play a major role in the barn of a traditional Chiemgau farmhouse converted by Stephanie Thatenhorst. In addition to the use of local wood, the grey pigmented clay plaster runs through all the rooms – in combination with the deliberately imperfect screed, the vintage furniture and her own designs, an atmospheric interplay of different materials and colours is created.

Corrugated aluminium sheets are characterised by their outstanding durability – they defy every conceivable weather condition. The all-round corrugated sheet façade of the Tinhouse, an archetypal house perched above a strait on the Scottish Isle of Skye, is modelled on the traditional barns of the region. It protects the residents from the storms that often rage here, which can be observed from a safe distance from the deliberately simple interiors.

Corten steel is a weather-resistant structural steel that forms a protective rust layer through weathering, which protects it from further corrosion and gives it its characteristic rusty-brown appearance. This extremely durable and weather-resistant material is used in architecture, particularly to accentuate façade cladding, and is also frequently used in landscape design and for sculptures. The perforated Corten steel shutters on the Villa Cozzo Tre Venti in south-east Sicily lend the property a charm of its own and create a magical interplay of light and shadow in the interior.

Wool is a natural, soft and elastic fibre that is (usually) obtained from the fur of sheep or alpacas. Due to its breathability and insulating properties, wool is used to make clothing as well as carpets and blankets. Wool provides the necessary warmth, especially in cool temperatures in the far north. Surrounded by steep cliffs and deep fjords, wild coasts and lonely beaches, the Black Aurora Nook defies the harsh landscape of the Norwegian Lofoten – snuggled up in a woollen blanket and with a cup of tea in your hand, you can relax and watch the northern lights from here.

Cork is a natural material that is obtained from the bark of the cork oak and is considered to be water-repellent, sound-absorbing and environmentally friendly. Cork oaks grow mainly in the Mediterranean region, particularly in Portugal, where the trees are cultivated in sustainably managed forests. Modern elements made of cork also complement the building of Villa Extramuros in the Portuguese region of Alentejo – both indoors and outdoors. In the immediate vicinity, there are also two cubic houses with cork façades that reference the cork oaks in the surrounding nature.

Delft ceramics are highly prized far beyond the Netherlands – the hand-cut, glazed and painted tiles have a history stretching back over 300 years. In the Friesensteern, two entire rooms are furnished with the historic tiles – including the richly decorated alcoves. The interplay of antique elements and furnishings with design classics such as the bright red Panton chairs creates a casual ambience in the interior.

Terracotta (Italian terra cotta for ‘cooked earth’) is a porous, unglazed ceramic material that is made from fired clay and is often used as roof tiles, façade elements or floor tiles in Mediterranean regions due to its weather resistance and good insulating properties. The characteristic natural, earthy to reddish colour is due to the iron content in the clay. In the old Podere 500 estate near the small Tuscan town of Cortona, the continuous terracotta floors create a warm contrast to the modern concrete fixtures and fittings and the minimalist interior.

Marble has been one of the most popular natural stones for thousands of years and is characterised by its hardness, polishable surface and characteristic grain. Due to its material properties, marble stone, which is extracted in a complex process, can be used in a variety of ways and is used as a finishing building material in interior design or in the production of sculptures.In the Ca’ Giuconda, the use of the material subtly echoes the wealth of the original building owner – and yet the minimalist forms of the sometimes monumental fixtures create a counterpoint to the surviving frescoes and domed ceilings.

London-based designer Rosy Napper researched a new type of ceramic material during her studies at Central Saint Martins UAL. The result is a 100% recycled material made from ceramic shards and ash waste: ReCinder.

Limestone is made from natural raw materials and is produced in an environmentally friendly and energy-efficient process. The light-coloured stone stands for natural elegance and creates a warm atmosphere – both indoors and outdoors. The imposing limestone muri a secco in Casa Balate, located in the Sicilian Val di Noto, set clear accents in the minimalist architecture and at the same time combine it with the natural Mediterranean surroundings.

Linoleum is considered one of the most environmentally friendly resilient floor coverings – the name is derived from ‘oleum lini’, Latin for linseed oil, as one of its most important raw materials – and was laid in particular from the end of the 19th century to the middle of the 20th century. This period also saw the construction of ‘The Modernist’ house in Faro, Portugal – with its wide windows, flat roof and geometrically patterned tiles integrated into the concrete façade, the colours of which are also picked up by the linoleum flooring laid inside, it is a typical representative of southern European modernism.

Die junge Architektin Clarisse Merlet machte aus der Fast Fashion-Not eine Tugend und gründete das Unternehmen FabBRICK, das Textilabfälle in ein neues Material für die Innenarchitektur verwandelt. Die FabBRICKs bestehen zu 80% aus geschredderten Textilien und zu 20% aus einem ökologischen Bindemittel. Dies ermöglicht die Herstellung von robusten, thermisch isolierenden, akustisch absorbierenden Bausteinen ganz ohne Brennen oder Chemikalien.

Spruce wood is a light and elastic softwood. It has a light, yellowish-white colour and a fine, even grain. Due to its strength and availability, it is often used in construction, for furniture and musical instruments – and is particularly common in the Alpine regions of Central Europe. Lined with brushed, untreated spruce wood, the interior of Panoramahaus 1314 in Val Pusteria looks spacious and bright – and creates a delicate connection between the modern architecture and the surrounding dark green coniferous forest.

Thatching is one of the oldest craft techniques in architecture: thatch, or reed, was once used as a roofing material, especially in northern Germany – it has particularly good thermal insulation properties, is dense and wind-resistant. The Vipp Farmhouse on the island of Lolland, an old gardener’s house dating back to 1775, blends harmoniously into the mystical landscape with its thatched roof. Inside, the historic beams contrast with the modern, purist interior.

Clinker brick façades have a long tradition, particularly in Dutch and North German architecture. The bricks, which are fired at extreme temperatures, are extremely robust and can withstand all weather and environmental influences. The beach villa with its sweeping views over the Baltic Sea and the Schleimünde nature reserve is clad in special bricks from Denmark – with their depth and colour combinations, they lend the cubic building a very special character. The interior of the spacious rooms also plays with different materials, colours and patterns.