Materials & Applications and Liz Gálvez Pioneer Heat Resiliency with “Earthen Comforts: Airing Earths” Installation

In a proactive response to escalating summer temperatures, Los Angeles-based organization Materials & Applications (M&A) has commissioned Liz Gálvez of Office e.g. to present “Earthen Comforts: Airing Earths” at the Craft Contemporary courtyard. This installation, on view through October 25, delves into methods of heat resiliency, moving beyond conventional mechanical cooling systems.

The project builds upon M&A’s previous explorations into modular shade and climate control, following their 2025 collaboration with Departamento del Distrito on the “Light Gauge” installation. For “Earthen Comforts,” Gálvez was tasked with continuing this critical dialogue on how architecture can actively combat rising heat.

Exploring Sustainable Outdoor Spaces

“Earthen Comforts: Airing Earths” creates a hypostyle hall structure that is topped with woven panels, designed to provide a sustainable, shaded outdoor public space capable of withstanding Southern California’s intense summer heat. The installation emphasizes a collective approach to addressing climate crises through interdisciplinary collaboration.

“M&A is thrilled to produce this project, which emerges from interdisciplinary collaboration between an architect and artists, building scientists, local material researchers, and students pursuing a collective ethos toward meeting our current crises,” stated M&A Director Kate Yeh Chiu.

Reframing Thermal Design

The installation critically examines how material choices and construction methods can serve as a proactive solution to increasing temperatures. Gálvez argues that current design trends often over-rely on mechanical temperature control. “Earthen Comforts reframes this paradigm by re-centering thermal design as an architectural and civic act, intervening in urgent debates around climate adaptation, material practice, and collective life,” she explained.

Construction and Materiality

The primary materials for the installation are standard lumber, specifically 2×4 and 2×6 cuts. These wood elements are supported by a stack of earthen blocks, functioning as buttresses. A steel beam that was already part of the site’s infrastructure is integrated into the structure, with additional support provided by a railing affixed to the adjacent building.

The canopy is strategically pitched at a 45-degree angle to the west. This orientation is designed to block the sun’s harshest rays, particularly as it sets. Each panel of the canopy is constructed from woven fibers, featuring perforated gaps that allow for continuous air circulation while offering significant protection from direct sunlight.

Creating a Microclimate

Visitors are intended to experience a distinct microclimate within the structure, where the interplay of airflow, material properties, and shade works in synergy. The communal space also incorporates integrated seating elements that are connected to chilled water pipes. This direct contact with cooled surfaces reinforces the installation’s commitment to non-mechanical heat mitigation strategies.

The project highlights a shift towards architectural strategies that are both environmentally conscious and responsive to the immediate needs of public spaces in a warming climate. It invites a broader conversation about the role of design in climate adaptation and the potential of traditional and innovative material practices.

Key facts
| Aspect | Detail |
|—|—|
| Installation Name | Earthen Comforts: Airing Earths |
| Lead Designer | Liz Gálvez (Office e.g.) |
| Collaborating Organization | Materials & Applications (M&A) |
| Venue | Craft Contemporary courtyard |
| Exhibition Dates | Through October 25 |
| Primary Materials | Lumber (2×4, 2×6), earthen blocks, steel beam |

This installation is particularly relevant to readers interested in sustainable design, innovative material applications, and architectural solutions for climate change. It showcases practical, non-mechanical strategies for creating more comfortable and resilient urban environments, offering a tangible example of how design can address pressing environmental challenges.

Source: The Architect’s Newspaper – Material & Applications and Liz Gálvez explore heat resiliency with installation at the Craft Contemporary courtyard (https://www.archpaper.com/2026/07/material-applications-earthen-comforts/)

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