WITH GEORGE ROTATORI (BRASIL)
BELGIUM 2025
A PROJECT CARRIED OUT BY SKATORIA ASBL, WITHIN THE FRAMEWORK OF “LES FRICHES” PROJECT
During the months of April and May 2025 will take place several workshops for research and construction of concrete skateparks from a concrete mix fibered with paper pulp – called Rotafibra – developed in Brazil by architect & skater George Rotatori.
George has been conducting this research for several years, with the aim of enabling the construction of concrete runways with the least environmental impact.
The activities are open to all, in the form of participatory workshops, organized by Skatoria as part of the project “Les Friches”. With a launch party on 19th April in the temporary skatepark “Skatelab” in Molenbeek, under the direction of skateboarder and skatepark builder Pierre Jambé (BRUSK, Doctor Skatepark, Antidote Skateparks).
The workshop part will consist of the manufacture of paper pulp from recycled paper, the incorporation of the pulp into the manufacture of concrete and the construction of skatepark elements in the form of DIY, in different places (Molenbeek, Saint-Gilles, Charleroi). The research part will test different mixtures based on the experience of George Rotatori, and observe the behaviour of concrete in the weeks, months and years to come.
These activities will be carried out in a DIY (do it yourself) and Low Tech (light technologies, accessible to the greatest number), use of accessible tools and collaborative learning.
THE RESEARCH
The “Rotafibra” technique is the synthesis of almost 14 years of research in bio construction, from natural materials, with or without industrial inputs, to observe the behavior of materials in short, medium and long term. The construction of skate tracks remains the field of experimentation for George and his research partners.
“Cement can be aggressive to the environment, but at the same time it is essential for its ability to stabilize and create rigid structures. We are currently looking for something natural that we could use for stabilization and resistance, and although we are not looking for something permanent, we will try to use cement consciously.”
Paper recycling and pulp creation
In July 2023, and after a stable test on a quarter pipe (small ramp) with “Rotafibra” concrete paper, George begins the construction of the Alquimia Bowl. This is the most engaging application of concrete paper since the beginning of research, in size, quantity and executive complexity. This is the synthesis of research. This was bettered in two ways: half was made with paper pulp from a recycling cooperative and the other half with cellulose mass from recycled cigarette butts. George, through various experiments, observes the stability and resistance of concrete and materials, which are tested in time.
For more information, read this article from Concrete Architecture and Design
TOWARDS BELGIUM
George and Pierre Jambé, both skaters & builders, met in Brazil in the 80s. They share a taste for sharing knowledge and participation. Pierre Jambé, after many years of activity in the construction of skateparks for Antidote Skateparks, wanted to invite George to Belgium, in collaboration with Skatoria asbl, to spread his research around paper concrete. This is an opportunity for Pierre to reconnect with the tradition of participative workshops he led with the Brussels skaters collective BRUSK in the 2000s. Collective with which he built several ephemeral wooden skateparks, concrete spots and bowls (Liège, Flémalle, Chelles…) and concrete skateparks of Havelange and Jambes.
WORKSHOP DATES AND VENUES 2025 IN BELGIUM
SKATELAB MOLENBEEK
From 19 to 27 April
SAINT-GILLES
May 5-11, 2025
CHARLEROI
May 24 and 25 (preparation) May 29, 30, 31 and June 1 (workshop)
More info • Register
SUPPORT THE PROJECT
You can support these workshops in several ways:
• by participating: participation to the workshops is free, but professionals, are invited to participate voluntarily through a donation of at least 150€, as financial support to the activity (a invoice will be produced);
• by offering materials (sand, stones, cement, wood, screws);
• by lending or offering tools (shovels, buckets, screwdrivers, drill, saw, blender, trowel, taloches), or by making available vehicles for the transport of materials;
• Financial donations
Your company may appear on the promotional material of the activity, and be cited in the minidocumental product that will be distributed on networks and of the LES FRICHES festival which will take place at the Centre Culturel Jacques Franck from 4 to 6 July 2025.
Low Tech paper recycling
George in the Alquimia sample bowl in Brazil
“Designing a skatepark is first of all imagining skateboarding in the craziest and most impossible places we can dream of. Skateboarding there once finished is like living in a dream come true.” – George Rotatori Georginho
ABOUT
George Rotatori Georginho was born in Brazil and has been skateboarding since the 1980s. He graduated from architecture school in 1990. He participated in the production of wood and concrete infrastructure for large-scale events such as MEGA RAMPA BRASIL 2010, 2011 and 2012 or the X-GAMES BRASIL 2000, 2002 and 2008 and more recently the X-GAMES in Japan in 2023 and 2024.
For 14 years, he experimented and developed bioconstruction techniques, among others called Rotafibra. His work and philosophy of life converge within a project he calls SYNTHESIS, deeply rooted in humanism and sharing the skateboard culture in a desire for solidarity across borders.
George is particularly committed to the link between his activities and world peace, and wants his workshops to convey values of understanding among peoples: Share, Teach, Learn, Develop, Disseminate, Create, Simplify, Improve, Develop and Transform!
PARTNERS
TEAM
PRODUCTION & DOCUMENTARY
Kévin Dupont
COORDINATION & ANIMATION
George Rotatori Pierre Jambé Fatima Chakri Quentin Dewit
Networks
@SKATORIA.PROJECT
@SKATELAB_BXL
ILLUSTRATION
Ambroise Bellec
Géronimo Gaube
CARRIED BY
SKATORIA ASBL
skatoria.info@gmail.com
Tel: +32475443179
Chaussée des Taxandres N°6
Boite 17 – 1300 Wavre
BE 0692.640.772
ANNEX
LISTS OF DONATIONS OF MATERIALS SOUGHT:
3750 kg of cement, or 150 bags of cement of 25kg
6m3 sand
4m3 stones
For recycling
60 kg of non-plasticized paper to be recycled
Practical Modalities
Material to be delivered before April 25 to SKATELAB, 111 quai de l’industrie in Molenbeek. (We can also pick it up).