“We produced 800 ceiling elements made of rammed earth and wood directly in a field factory at the HORTUS construction site in Basel”, explains Martin Rauch, the earth building pioneer from Schlins, who regularly lectures at the University of Liechtenstein. “In this project, the architects Herzog and de Meuron did something unusual: they brought all the innovators together at the beginning.” The task was to create a zero-energy building that would itself become a power plant. In three decades, the office complex should have compensated for the energy that is currently being used for construction. Said, planned, done. The flagship site in Basel will be ready for occupancy in mid-2025.
“With HORTUS, we have noticed how naturally we combine research, development and practical construction here in the region”, says Martin Mackowitz from the team led by Martin Rauch, who has also been teaching at the University of Liechtenstein for ten years. In view of the climate targets, this approach is proving to be an enormous advantage for the location.
Earth Hub opened at symposium
Mackowitz hosted a symposium to open the Earth Hub in order to raise the potential of ecological building materials in the long term and in collaboration with business and society. Around 40 international guests from the worlds of business, research and construction exchanged ideas on Friday at the University of Liechtenstein and during an excursion. They included Regina Steck, Lenum, Karin Jehle, Amt für Umwelt, Constantin Frommelt, Zimmerei Frommelt, and Flurina Seger, Stiftung Lebenswertes Liechtenstein.
Herbert Zech, Managing Director of RTB Rheintal Baustoffe in Bendern, explains: “I grew up with building materials. That's why I'm interested in the innovations that our colleagues from the university are exploring with us in the field of construction. Martin Rauch and Martin Mackowitz have shown me that excavated material doesn't have to be waste. Instead, it is a valuable raw material for ultra-modern buildings made of rammed earth! A considerable amount of the soil beneath our feet in Liechtenstein can be used for this sustainable way of building. And at the same time keep the volume of excavated landfill within limits.” When excavating a building pit, material can be recovered that can be put to good use locally, perhaps even for the same construction project, Zech emphasizes.
The new Earth Hub at the Liechtenstein School of Architecture aims to advance research and practice in climate-friendly construction in an interdisciplinary manner over the next few years. The aim is to take knowledge from the ivory tower out into the four-country region and Europe: “We are united by our enthusiasm for technical innovation and for our precious natural environment”, says Martin Mackowitz, coordinator of the new Earth Hub at the University of Liechtenstein.