Bodendreieck / Earth Triangle

The Earth Triangle (Bodendreieck) project aims to systematically transform mineral construction excavation into high-performance, load-bearing earth blocks. Developed in collaboration with Earthbound, it advances earth as a scalable, hyper-local and circular building material for urban construction.

By rethinking earth at an industrial scale, the project positions earth blocks as a viable alternative to fossil-based materials, with the potential to reduce CO₂ emissions by up to 95 percent.

The focus of the project is the development and scaling of a pressed earth block process that operates entirely without firing or hydraulic binders. Rather than relying on homogeneous primary raw materials, the process uses heterogeneous regional excavation soil.

Through material-adaptive formulations and mechanical compaction, this material is transformed into structurally viable earth blocks. The process is further optimised through additives, process parameters and geometry to achieve high compressive strength and meet building standards.

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x examines the full value chain, including the classification of excavation materials within waste regulations, quality assurance, and initial building approvals.

Building on validated laboratory and demonstration projects, the research aims to improve compressive strength to enable slimmer wall constructions. Positioned at the intersection of value chain analysis, laboratory research and industrial processes, Bodendreieck contributes to integrating circular economy principles and regional value creation into construction.

The Bodendreieck project is supported through the Pro FIT programme by the Berlin Senate Department for Economic Affairs, Energy and Public Enterprises and the Investitionsbank Berlin (IBB).
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For more information on the broader research context, see Bauhaus Earth's Sediments Project.