Rammed earth walls as energy storage – sustainability rethought

The construction industry is facing major challenges: Scarcity of resources, high energy requirements and rising greenhouse gas emissions. At the same time, the building sector offers enormous potential for ecological and social improvements. The RE-FORM earth project is therefore testing new approaches to sustainable construction – with a focus on regionally available, recyclable building materials such as clay and the use of fluctuating renewable energies.

The focus is on building components with a clay content, which are not only deconstructable and ecological, but also contribute to improving indoor air quality and thus health and comfort. Integration into the baubook data platform provides a planning basis for ecology, recyclability and resource consumption.

Another focus is on temperature-controlled rammed earth components. These combine the high thermal storage capacity of clay with component activation, e.g. in timber construction. Fluctuating renewable energies can be optimally used thermally in buildings. In the AEE INTEC test box, such an earthen wall with heating and cooling functions is constructed and its effects on the indoor climate and energy requirements are determined.

In addition, possible health concerns regarding earth building materials are being scientifically investigated – for example with regard to pollutants in the excavated material or natural radiation exposure from radon and thoron. The aim is to create valid data and lay the foundations for the modern, healthy and climate-adapted use of earth in residential construction.

Earth is one of the oldest building materials known to mankind – RE-FORM earth makes it fit for the requirements of the 21st century.