Natural building using
clay bricks
Discover
For a research project in Meißen, we developed a modern, industrially manufactured clay perforated brick that can be used in a similar way to a fired brick thanks to its high dimensional accuracy and consistent quality.
The raw material for these clay bricks and fired bricks is identical – in both cases it comes from the clay pit on the company premises. And the production lines with the extrusion presses are also the same. The only major difference is that the clay bricks are merely dried after manufacture and not fired.
Various modern, high-performance building materials and systems can be combined with contemporary clay brickwork. This makes it possible to complete both reinforced concrete ceilings and wooden beam ceilings, depending on the ceiling span. Windows and doors are installed in line with the highest technological standards. Together with the building’s material use and energy concept, this allows the DGNB (German Sustainable Building Council) GOLD certification standard to be achieved.
Clay brick
Production process
Long-term
value added
We want to create a building material that is suitable for mass production, can be manufactured industrially and is therefore affordable, and which, as a purely natural product made of 100% clay, also meets the highest sustainability requirements.
The biggest advantages of this construction method are:
70% energy saving: In contrast to conventional brick production, there is no firing process. The bricks are simply dried in large drying chambers.
100% recyclable: Clay brickwork is joined using clay mortar and can be 100% returned to the raw material cycle. The raw materials used come from the immediate vicinity of our plant. All extraction sites are always restored afterwards.
100% well-being: With this type of residential building made of clay, the difference to a conventional house is noticeable from day one. The properties of clay convey peace and closeness to nature, contribute to a pleasant indoor climate and have a positive effect on personal well-being.
The biggest advantages of this construction method are:
70% energy saving: In contrast to conventional brick production, there is no firing process. The bricks are simply dried in large drying chambers.
100% recyclable: Clay brickwork is joined using clay mortar and can be 100% returned to the raw material cycle. The raw materials used come from the immediate vicinity of our plant. All extraction sites are always restored afterwards.
100% well-being: With this type of residential building made of clay, the difference to a conventional house is noticeable from day one. The properties of clay convey peace and closeness to nature, contribute to a pleasant indoor climate and have a positive effect on personal well-being.
Meißen project house
GreenConceptLehm
Research
In Meißen, the first detached house with + energy standard is currently being built from modern, load-bearing clay brickwork. The house is the continuation of many years of research work within the framework of the Zukunft Bau research initiative on the use of unfired clay bricks made for the construction of residential buildings, with considerable energy savings during production and the guarantee that they are recycled in the sense of conserving resources.
The project is supported by the GreenConceptLehm – Nachhaltig Bauen und Leben mit Lehm (Sustainable Building and Living with Clay) group, which emerged from the research team led by Prof. Jäger. The client is Prof. Jäger himself, who wants to set an example by building the house and is convinced that healthy living with clay is another reason for choosing such a house, in addition to the sustainability concept.
The facade is constructed from coordinated materials that are perfectly suited to the wall construction. The use of a curtain wall allows for composite-free installation. Materials can be separated by type at the end of the building’s life. The materials used are predominantly renewable raw materials. These conserve valuable energy and material resources. Hemp is a high-performance alternative to EPS or mineral wool as an insulation material. Firstly, the breathable structure of the wall accentuates the material properties of clay, and secondly, the interaction with clay creates a permanently comfortable indoor climate.
Clay bricks can currently only be used for load-bearing exterior walls with approval on a case-by-case basis. We will be happy to advise you personally on this and assist you with your calculations.