Building with earth is one of the oldest construction traditions in the world. Clay and earthen walls naturally create a pleasant indoor climate, regulate humidity, and contribute to a healthy living environment. In addition, these materials are fully circular: earth can be reused over and over again without any loss of quality, unlike many other building materials.
Yet earthen construction is still rarely used in the Netherlands. Modern buildings must meet strict requirements in terms of safety, quality, and sustainability. That is why more knowledge is needed about how these materials behave under Dutch conditions. As part of the OPZuid project Cool-Earth, we are working on the development of testing methods for stabilized earth blocks and wall structures. Among other things, we are investigating how moisture, long-term loads, and leaks affect the performance of blocks and load-bearing walls. In addition, we are exploring ways to produce earth blocks on a larger scale and with consistent quality. Whereas earthen construction used to be primarily a craft, the research now focuses on modern production processes suitable for use in today’s construction sector. In this way, the project brings together centuries-old building knowledge and modern technology.