Lightweight Adobe - Unstabilized, load-bearing adobe bricks for improved thermal performance
Published 2018-11-13
Traditional Adobe walls don’t work well thermally in cooler climates, especially if there isn’t optimal solar gain. In a desire to improve the thermal performance but maintain the simplicity of the Adobe technique, unstabilized lightweight bricks have been developed that are fully load-bearing. This sets them apart from the Light Earth Method. These new generation Light Adobe bricks have undergone extensive testing in New Zealand, both for strength and durability, and their use is in the process of being written into the NZ Earthbuilding Standards. The presentation shares the whole journey and hopes to inspire designers, engineers, manufacturers and builders alike.
Verena Maeder, Director, Solid Earth Adobe Buildings Ltd, New Zealand
Verena Maeder is an earth building artisan with 27 years of experience in the construction of earth buildings in Switzerland, Germany and New Zealand. Since 2002 she has been running her own company SolidEarth Ltd, specializing in the construction of adobe buildings, earthen plasters, restoration of historic earth buildings and R&D of load-bearing lightweight adobe bricks for improved thermal performance.
Verena has trained in Architecture and Building Biology and Ecology in Switzerland and was the chairwoman of the Earthbuilding Association NZ from 2007-2014. She is part of the sub-committee in charge of the revision of the NZ Earthbuilding Standards and has recently received the "Tradeswoman of the Year" award by the National Association of Women in Construction NZ.
All Comments (6)
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Best adobe video I've seen, very thorough and scientific. Thank you
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Inspiring journey Verena, thank you. minute 3:30, on the text”“opposite other end of the scale to martina ralph’s” is “Martina Ralph’s Co.” is correct spelling? any link please? regards
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Wonderful I love this thank you so much for your presentation.
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It would seem that John Hill was also after breathability of said wall composition... through every season, through every future year. Not just temperature (+20/-20 degrees) regulation alone. This is what "lightwieght" connotes to me.
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which is faster, economical, stronger & aesthetic - cob vs earth bag vs adobe earth
