Wood and clay, two proven building materials, are at the centre of the “Think Earth – Regenerative Building” project. Under the leadership of ETH Zurich and in collaboration with Empa and other universities and industrial partners, modern construction techniques are being developed to reduce the environmental impact of the building industry. While wood provides load-bearing capacity and rigidity, clay provides additional mass that contributes to thermal regulation, fire safety and vibration damping.
Reusable wood connections strengthen the circular economy
In order to use wood sustainably, its reusability must be increased. Currently, it is only 10 per cent. The project aims to increase this figure to 90 per cent by developing efficient, flexible wood joints. Researchers at Empa and ETH Zurich are working on methods for the simple dismantling of timber structures and developing digital tools that promote the reuse of timber components.
Crack-free clay construction methods using green additives
Clay is available in almost unlimited quantities and has an excellent carbon footprint. However, shrinkage during drying is a common problem, resulting in cracks. Researchers at Empa and ETH Zurich are investigating bio-based and biodegradable additives that prevent shrinkage without impairing recyclability. These innovative additives are being tested on a large scale in collaboration with BASF Schweiz AG and Eberhard Bau AG to enable the use of clay in building construction.
