Artist Roo Dhissou, in collaboration with UK-based Intervention Architecture, has created a groundbreaking modular pavilion called "Heal, Home, Hmm" that showcases traditional Punjabi mud building techniques using recycled materials. The innovative structure is currently on display at the Victoria and Albert Museum as part of the London Design Festival, positioned at the bottom of one of the museum's curved staircases.

The pavilion represents a unique fusion of ancient building methods and modern sustainability practices. Dhissou drew inspiration from traditional vernacular construction techniques, believing that returning to these time-tested methods could make British homes not only more environmentally sustainable but also more resistant to common moisture problems. "It's moisture in the walls – that's why we have a lot of mold problems," Dhissou explained. "Previously, in many different countries, like India, parts of Africa and even in the UK, we used natural building materials: clay, straw, hemp, wattle and daub. [But] we've moved away from those practices to extractive practices."

What makes this project particularly remarkable is its use of rescued materials from High Speed Two (HS2) railway construction sites in London. The clay used in the pavilion's construction was sourced directly from these excavation sites, preventing the material from ending up in landfills. "It's been rescued and reclaimed," Dhissou noted. "It would have gone to landfill, and we've used it to show how you can use natural building materials to build again. It's more of a proposition, thinking about care, access and healthcare and the building industry."

The "Heal, Home, Hmm" house features a wooden frame with panels constructed from cob, a traditional building material made from a mixture of clay, sand, straw, and hemp. "I used sand, straw, hemp and clay," Dhissou told reporters about the construction process. "It's a one-part equal mixture, a cob building." The structure includes decorative arched doorways and wooden archways, while its flat roof can function as a terrace, maximizing the use of space.

The design draws deeply from Dhissou's personal history and childhood experiences. "I grew up in a house in Punjab that had some cob clay walls left over, though the majority were changed into concrete," she revealed. "I really wanted to do something that was inspired by the house that I grew up in." However, the artist has given this traditional material a thoroughly modern update for the contemporary museum setting.

What sets this pavilion apart from traditional cob construction is its innovative modular design approach. "Essentially, [the house] is modular, it's flat pack," Dhissou explained. "So ancient techniques meet flat pack and modulation in the 21st century, bringing those two design practices together for thinking about ways in which we might live in the future." This combination of old and new represents a potential solution for modern housing challenges.

The timing of this exhibition coincides with renewed interest in cob construction within the architectural community. This ancient building method has been gaining attention recently as designers and builders seek more sustainable alternatives to conventional construction materials. The material's ability to regulate moisture naturally makes it particularly relevant for addressing common housing problems in the UK.

"Heal, Home, Hmm" is being presented as part of the London Design Festival, running from September 13 to 21, 2025. The exhibition serves not only as an artistic installation but also as a practical demonstration of how traditional building techniques can be adapted and modernized to address contemporary environmental and housing challenges. The project represents a compelling argument for reconsidering our approach to construction materials and methods in an era of increasing environmental awareness.