No two natural building materials are exactly the same. But what does this mean when we want to build with them? In this hands-on workshop, you will explore the fascinating properties of two sustainable building materials: earth and biochar. Working in small groups, you will carry out simple experiments to discover how differently these materials behave and why this matters for construction.

Test different types of earth and see how their properties vary, or investigate how biochar absorbs water and influences building mixtures. Compare your results with those of other participants and discover why working with natural materials often requires a different approach from working with conventional building products.

The workshop concludes with a discussion on the opportunities and challenges of using natural building materials. Find out how researchers are developing practical ways to make sustainable construction both reliable and resource-efficient.