A workshop to mitigate the consequences of heat waves in Lisbon
Climate change has increasingly exposed the urban population to heat waves. Among the many solutions that cities can implement, are shading streets and building windows, preferably using renewable materials such as biomaterials.
This is why Lisbon’s HUB-IN has recently organised a Sprout Tank workshop on reed mats. Guided by Master Manuel Ferreira, eight residents from downtown Castle Hill and neighbouring parishes produced 8 reed mats to be applied as window shutters to embellish a street, decorate their houses, and ensure privacy.
The material used is a type of giant reed that grows in fresh water, and can be harvested on the banks of a river or stream around summertime. Reed needs to dry and stretch along a loom where heavy stones tied with sisal will be used as a weight to hold the reeds together. The reed mat can have various applications such as windows shutters (interior), balconies decoration, acoustic insulation, indoor decoration and furniture like benches and chairs.
Interested in learning more about Lisbon’s HUB-IN? Click here to discover all the activities carried out to regenerate the Colina do Castelo area.
