Clay Commons layed the first stone of Habitat
On November 8, the construction of Habitat – the artwork designed by Michael Beutler – was festively opened with the laying of the first stone!
In the communication towards the event, the commissioners invited everybody to bring their own brick. Bricks can not only be found everywhere in the village as debris. Many citizens have connections with the brick industry by their own work or via family members. Schools also participated to the event, allowing the children to learn more about the industrial heritage, the artwork and the house it will become for the local insects, bats and birds.
Several inhabitants responded to the bring your own brick requests. They arrived by bike, and brought old bricks, made before the mechanical procedure was standardized. The stones still bear the marks of the mold used when shaping the clay into bricks.
The festive opening started with a speech by the alderman, welcoming everybody and explaining the importance of this European project to Boom. His intervention was followed by a short explanation of the artwork by one the commissioners. The commissioners also elaborated the next steps of the project.
After the short speeches, inhabitants were invited to lay their brick in row specially reserved. This way these stones officially became part Habitat. The children were also invited to lay their first stone, in this way contributing to the future artwork. With the laying of the first bricks, the period of building Habitat started. Perfectly in line with the green approach of the project, the weather will be the leading factor in determining the duration of the process.