Light Earth Building

Interest in clay as a building material remains undiminished. Lightweight clay—both light in weight and easy to work with—is a versatile and forward-looking construction material for modern, computer-assisted timber construction as well as for the restoration of historic timber-frame clay structures. Its balanced building-physics properties, which can be controlled through the mixing ratio, enable climate-appropriate and resource-efficient building in a wide range of climatic conditions. As a result, heat storage capacity, moisture regulation, sound insulation, and fire protection in conventional timber construction are improved, and structural systems are simplified. Volhard’s recognized standard reference work describes the manufacturing processes in detail, provides practical tips for self-builders, and demonstrates the use of prefabricated materials in contemporary construction practice. The 2nd edition has been revised and updated.