An exemplary project from Austria

The special exhibition in the Ziegeleimuseum (Brick & Tile Museum) in Cham/Hagendorn shows clay construction projects in developing countries.

Clay was used as a building material for the construction of the brick hut next to the Brick & Tile Museum in Hagendorn. Although it has now been largely replaced by cement and concrete in Europe, clay – which is also referred to as the "building material of the poor" – is still used in many developing countries: around a third of the world's population lives in mud houses. One of the most famous examples is the Great Mosque of Djenne in Mali. But the construction techniques used are often not durable enough. Nevertheless, the physical properties of clay are considered to be particularly suitable for the climatic challenges of the southern regions.

A pilot project from Austria that has been promoting social and sustainable architecture in developing regions for several years is currently being presented in the special exhibition of the Ziegeleimuseum. The Basehabitat Studio of the Department of Architecture of the Linz University of Art is carrying out the planning, research and construction projects on site with students. There is also intensive cooperation with local actors, with the work being carried out on behalf of a social organisation.

Sustainable wall of clay and straw
This was also the case with the exhibited Living Tebogo project, in which a home for children with disabilities was realised in South Africa. A group of 25 students planned and built a communal house with a new kitchen, as well as a therapy house with sanitary facilities, connected by a pergola. Local people, and especially women, were involved In the construction phase.

Photo 1: The Ziegeleimuseum in Hagendorn has a new special exhibition
Photo 2: For years, this project has promoted social and sustainable architecture in development countries
Photo 3: Almost one-third of the world’s population lives in clay houses

Because the buildings in this region are mostly made of corrugated iron, which can become unbearably hot in summer and very cold in winter, the new houses are planned to have a pleasant indoor climate all year round without the use of energy. This objective led to the creation of walls made of a clay-straw mixture – and an example of this can be seen in the exhibition in Hagendorn. The projects should use as much renewable building material as possible. This also always plays a role in how cost-effective the material is and whether it can be used with little effort, such as clay, wood, bamboo, ceramics or natural textiles. IN addition, the aesthetic of the design are always important for those responsible.

Meeting of cultures
The exhibition also has photos of the students learning how to carry the building material on their heads. And the videos in which they report what they experienced in the township and how the children in particular had reacted to them are very interesting. One student reports: "They looked at our blond hair, hands and fingernails in amazement. We may look different, but we all felt the same feeling."

The exhibition, whose detailed plans and information material have aroused a lot of interest from local and foreign visitors, shows how such social projects have also been realised in other developing countries. Studio Basehabitat has been a member of the UNESCO Chair of Earthen Architecture since 2014. Due to the growing interest worldwide, the Art University of Linz has also decided to launch respective study courses, such as a Master's degree in architecture and a postgraduate degree.

The St.Martin Baar Foundation, which promotes the sustainable supply of drinking water in developing countries, is also presented at the Hagendorn Brick & Tile Museum (Ziegeleimuseum).

The exhibition can be visited from 2 pm to 5 pm from Wednesday to Sunday until 18 October.