About
The Local Shit project was born out of the realization that the Netherlands produces 60 million tons of cow dung annually - a massive waste problem that also represents a tremendous resource.
The Challenge
Intensive animal farming in the Netherlands, with over 15 million pigs and cows, leads to:
- Nitrogen crisis and environmental problems
- Excess manure without sufficient use
- Strict government regulations
- Search for sustainable solutions
The Opportunity
Traditional use of cow dung in building materials in Asia and Africa demonstrates:
- Waterproofing properties due to microbial aggregates
- Stabilizing effect in earthen construction
- Sustainable alternative to industrial building materials
- Local circular economy possible
Philosophy behind Open Source
Our philosophy is based on open collaboration and knowledge sharing:
Open Knowledge
- All research results freely available
- Recipes and instructions without restrictions
- Transparent documentation of all experiments
Local Solutions
- Use regional materials
- Promote short transport routes
- Strengthen local economic cycles
- Adaptation to local conditions
Collaborative Innovation
- Farmers, architects, researchers, etc.
- Promoting interdisciplinary approaches
- Supporting practical experiments
- Developing scalable solutions
Impact Vision
Environmental Impact
- Reducing nitrogen emissions
- Avoiding excess manure
- Lower-carbon building materials
- Promoting a circular economy
Economic Impact
- New sources of income for farmers
- Local added value
- Reduced material costs
- Innovative business models
Social Impact
- Transferring knowledge between cultures
- Rediscovering traditional techniques
- Developing collaborative solutions
- Promoting sustainable lifestyles
Recognition
Winner of the Kazerne Design Award 2025
The project was recognized for its innovative approach to solving the Dutch nitrogen crisis through sustainable building materials.
https://kazerne.com/en/2025/05/14/kda2025/
https://dutchdesigndaily.com/stories/antonia-vincenza-schreiber-winner-kazerne-design-award-2025/
https://architectenweb.nl/nieuws/artikel.aspx?id=59464
Team & Acknowledgments
Research & Development
Antonia Vincenza - Project Lead & Research
Special thanks
- Age Opdam, Genneper Hoeve Eindhoven - Farmer & Material Provider
- Paul Willems, Arla - Farm Sustainability Coordinator Central Europe
- Martijn den Besten, Friesland Campina - Climate & Nature Project Manager
- Cyriel Heemels - Architect & Project Manager
- Nuno Vasconcelos - Architect
- Joost Botteram, Prehistoric Dorp Eindhoven - Head Technical Service
- Lydia Fraaie, Collaborating Biomimicry Architect
Reach Out
Interested in collaborating or do you have questions about the project? Contact: antoniavincenza@icloud.com
Contact Options
- Research Collaboration - For scientific collaborations
- Farmer Partnerships - For farmers with surplus manure
- Architect Network - For planners and architects
- Craftsmenship - For craftsmen and women
- Scaling Opportunities - For industrial applications
“Cowdung is a highly underrated material. Especially in places like the Netherlands, where there is an excess quantity available, its properties and benefits for the sustainable construction sector should be further researched and experimented with.”