Living Lab Leemsteen (Earth Blocks)
Living Lab Leemsteen is an interdisciplinary research project that investigates the potential of unfired earth blocks as a sustainable and circular building material within the Flemish construction sector.
Living Lab Leemsteen (Earth Blocks)
Living Lab Leemsteen is an interdisciplinary research project that investigates the potential of unfired earth blocks as a sustainable and circular building material within the Flemish construction sector. Starting from the entire value chain, from raw material and production to design, construction, and use, the living lab brings together researchers, designers, contractors, and producers around concrete practice-based questions.
The project was initiated within the three-year VLAIO Living Lab Circular Economy programme under the title Living Lab Leemsteen From Earth to Value and was coordinated by Hasselt University, in collaboration with a2o, Democo, Buildwise, brickZ, and BC materials. By linking experimental research to real building projects, design and construction principles were systematically tested and refined. At the same time, the project focused on collecting and integrating user experiences and on analysing technical and organisational challenges in both design and execution..
The Publication
One of the key outcomes of the living lab is this publication. The book brings together thirty-two practice based case studies from Western Europe in which unfired earth blocks play a central role within the architectural concept and material strategy. The selection was made in consultation with project partners, architects, contractors, and producers, and offers a representative overview of the current state of practice.
The publication includes both projects realised in Belgium within the framework of the living lab and European reference projects that were visited for their alternative approach or advanced application of unfired earth blocks. Each project emerges from a specific context, yet together the cases demonstrate how unfired earth blocks are currently applied in a wide variety of ways.
Research and International Perspective
Within the living lab, several projects were closely monitored, with attention to design decisions, on-site execution, and the experiences of all involved actors. In addition, the research was expanded through an international perspective. In countries such as Germany, France, and Switzerland, the application of unfired earth blocks is more advanced in terms of regulations and practical implementation. To better understand these contexts, approximately 100 international projects were documented, and 15 projects were visited with the involved architects. These visits generated valuable insights and lessons learned, which were translated to the Flemish context.
Content and Structure of the Book
The analysis of each project is based on one or more site visits and an in-depth interview with the architect or building partner. Design and construction choices were critically examined, resulting in a deeper understanding of the behaviour of unfired earth block masonry in practice, its long-term performance, and the experiences of users, designers, and builders.
For each project, the book includes:
- a project description with a focus on context and material choices
- an analysis of design and construction
- a developed construction detail showing how the unfired earth block masonry was designed and built
- photographic material and on-site observations
The selected projects cover a wide range of building typologies and scales. In some projects, unfired earth blocks form a specific part of the building, while in others the material is fully integrated into the overall design. Together, the cases present a nuanced and inspiring picture of the possibilities of unfired earth blocks in contemporary architecture.
Download
The publication is available online and can be downloaded free of charge via the form below.
- More background information about the research project can be found on the website: www.livinglabearthblocks.be
- For additional information, questions, or potential collaborations, please use the contact on info@livinglableemsteen.be
VLAIO is the Flemish government’s point of contact for all entrepreneurs in Flanders. VLAIO stimulates and supports innovation and entrepreneurship and contributes to a favourable entrepreneurial climate, in cooperation with numerous partners.
VLAIO is fully committed to circular entrepreneurship. That is why this VLAIO project received support and resources from the European Commission’s NextGenerationEU fund.