Pisé

The publication explores the history and significance of rammed earth construction in Central Europe, particularly in Switzerland, for the first time and examines – based on historical models – the potential of this building method for contemporary architecture. Thus, the book contributes to the preservation of existing architectural monuments. At the same time, this first comprehensive documentation lays the groundwork for further research. Building on this, the editors investigate the potential of the material for modern constructions, especially in the context of regional, identity-forming, and resource-efficient architecture. The advantages of earth – strength, fire resistance, and good indoor climate properties – already supported its use in the 16th and 17th centuries. Disadvantages, such as dependence on weather conditions during on-site construction, can today be mitigated through prefabrication. The exclusively compressive load capacity can be bridged by possible prestressing. With these measures, the building material – as an ecological and fully recyclable resource – becomes an attractive alternative in contemporary construction.