Dear <<First Name>> <<Last Name>>,

When man became sedentary many thousand years ago, water reed, straw and other grasses became the first roofing materials. Until the late 19th century, thatch was even the only roofing material for the majority of the people in most of Europe. With increasing urbanization, thatch was ultimately pushed back, but meanwhile there has been something like a small thatch renaissance for some time.

Be it as “healing architecture” or “an owl’s last resort”, as “part of biodiversity” or “a hut for the lost child in us”, as “vertical straw bales” or “slow resistance” – the well insulating natural building material is steadily gaining popularity in the most different contexts. Sometimes it makes the objects appear rustic and traditional, sometimes exotic or just spaced out. But, looking at our selection of projects, one thing seems to be for sure: thatch is back! Enjoy with us this brave new world of thatch. 

Yours Jan Zimmermann
editor mapolis | Architecture