Breakout Session | Stone Free Movement: reviving earth architecture as global solution in the age of climate crisis
This session will present the Stone Free Movement as a case study for climate-positive construction and the urgent need to revive earth architecture as a global solution in the age of crisis.
For centuries before the industrial era, human settlements coexisted harmoniously with their natural surroundings. Traditional building practices respected biodiversity, relied on locally available materials, and adapted sensitively to regional climates. In Kerala, these methods drew on earth, clay, lime, and bamboo—materials that were abundant, renewable, and environmentally benign.
Modern development, driven by rapid urbanisation and infrastructure growth, has disrupted this balance. Unregulated quarrying, deforestation, and the widespread use of concrete have degraded ecosystems, triggered natural disasters, and increased carbon emissions. Quarrying in particular has destroyed landscapes and destabilised communities.
The Stone Free Movement responds to this crisis by calling for a transformation in construction practices through:
1. Material Shift – Promoting earth-based, renewable, and low-carbon materials.
2. Research & Development – Integrating modern technology with traditional knowledge.
3. Community Empowerment – Creating local jobs through sourcing and processing regional materials.
4. Policy Influence – Embedding sustainability into building regulations.
Though rooted in Kerala, this initiative offers a replicable model for regions worldwide facing similar ecological stress. The vision is to establish Kerala as a global case study in climate-positive construction by 2035, reframing development as an act of environmental stewardship and ensuring that the buildings of today actively contribute to a sustainable future.
About the session leader
Hasan Naseef A is an architect from India with over 13 years of experience in sustainable and vernacular design. He is Founder and Chairman of the URVI Foundation, Principal Architect at Urvi Sustainable Spaces, and Director of Terracast Eco LLP. He also leads the Down to Earth Village initiative in Kerala and directs the URVIKOSA Research and Training Center, through which he has trained more than 1,000 individuals in sustainable construction practices.
His work integrates indigenous wisdom with modern innovation to create eco-conscious building solutions. As founder of the Stone Free Movement, Hasan advocates for sustainable alternatives to excessive stone quarrying. He was named a finalist for the Earthna Prize 2025 and is a committed INTBAU member, promoting responsible architecture rooted in local ecology and traditional knowledge.