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FibreBroads

June 2023 – April 2025

Investigating how wetland crops could provide a sustainable income for farmers in the Broads.

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The FibreBroads project aims to investigate how crops grown in wetlands (known as paludiculture) could provide a sustainable income for growers based in the Broads. Paludiculture has the potential to significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions, compared to the emissions associated with dryland agricultural use. 

The project is led by the Broads Authority and funded by the Department for Environment and Rural Affairs (DEFRA), and involves partners including Norfolk County Council, Norfolk Farming and Wildlife Advisory Group (NFWAG), Hudson Architects, Wetland Products Foundation, Norwich University of Arts and global impact firm Palladium. 

Academics and MArch students within Architecture and Interior Design experimented with paludiculture materials, producing details, models, maquettes, elements, furniture and mock ups which were exhibited on campus. Their work was also featured in Dezeen.

The team also worked to develop a curriculum about paludiculture and associated architectural and fashion products. This curriculum and the material experimentations were disseminated in academic media, conferences, and a symposium held at Norwich University of the Arts in February 2025.

Project team

Project partners

Funding

  • A single thin green vertical line, reminiscent of young shoots in paludiculture, stands on the left edge of a black background. The rest of the image is completely black.

    DEFRA

Gallery

  • An exhibition room with wooden floors displays ceramic and architectural models on white pedestals and tables. Behind them, tall panels feature images and diagrams about paludiculture, with ornate balconies above and soft natural lighting.
  • People stand around and examine tables displaying various small natural material samples related to paludiculture in an exhibition space; informational posters with images and text are displayed in the background.
  • A speaker presents to an audience in a modern lecture room. A large screen displays slides about farming and paludiculture, including a man examining crops and the slogan: "No farmer, no food, no fibre, no future.
  • A woman stands at a Broads National Park display booth featuring paludiculture building materials, jars of samples, informational pamphlets, and a map poster inside a tent at an outdoor event.
  • A table with different types of materials on it, including samples from paludiculture practices.
Research and Knowledge Exchange Projects