Michael Burchert

Roman Timber: Roofs, Doors and Forgotten Walls Podcast Episode · Build Like a Roman · 12/02/2026 · 21m

Episode 5 is now available:

Roman Timber: Roofs, Doors and Forgotten Walls

#romans #rome #history #archaeology #brick #tiles

this is AWESOME

🌱Today the Call for Abstracts for the International Grassland Congress (IGC) 2027 opens!

Theme: “100 Years of Grassland Research – Pathways to the Future”

📅 13–18 June 2027 | Leipzig
⏰ Deadline: 2 October 2026

igc2027.org/call-for-abs...

Submit your contribution now!
#IGC2027

Use an old window, did you read the former posts?

Thank you for pushing this hard. The circular economy is not a given; the only thing that currently runs by itself is the linear economy. (vs planetary boundaries= your future)

Most of Europe's buildings of the future are already built.

Thatched house with 2+1 pane windows

It's not uncommon in german heritage buildings to have the OG single pane windows with a new 2-pane window behind it. Like here:

Design for disassembly.

#Building #Decarbonization requires #reuse. This is a great example of creative reuse from roof to exterior facade treatment

It is important to understand the table accurately. It shows how stupid modern construction methods are when you have to put walls several meters thick made of straw, hemp, etc. in front of them to make them climate-neutral at the building level.

Finished the utility room sink last week

We used to know how to feed and house ourselves without machinery, industry or global trade. What do you call a local community that cannot feed or house itself?

Do we financially value people who grow food or build housing for us today? Do field workers earn more or less than you?

more about the site where "the wall" was found:
www.mkk.de/media/resour...

bsky.app/profile/mich...

Had some garden work to do today and decided to go for it. Bbecause using some twigs, grass and earth to do a high performance wall is for sure a conversation starter in the exhibition?

Ok I will try some Prompt roman cement in places.

I agree. Not a huge fan of lead in the environment, is that sort of lax in the UK? Best/easiest would be standing seam zinc on top imho. Besides the quick and dirty goop and changing it every 5 years.

It shows how thick biobased insulations must be to offset the emissions of the structural components.

You are right, there is no evidence of an original sealant.

It doesn't look as if they've been removed since 1870.
The roofers were @$$ afaik, likely that the under roof / connections are sub standard.

3 wheel electric pick up with straw bales

🌾⚡

US is weird through and through. In Germany, almost every roofing company would also offer a metal roof.

China can pursue long-term strategies because of its form of government, while Europe tries to do the same (say fit for 55, land use, circular economy) but regularly fails due to permanent party politics, nationalism and lobbying forces.
I am pretty sure the Chinese gov treats us as babies.

clay plaster getting sprayed on a wall

So, any forward thinking stuff (climate neutral, positive) in construction to repost today?
I am in the mood to share.
(every day actually, please mention me if you see something).

2. Plant fibre architecture today
This Book will break down constuction of biobased construction best practice worlswide to child niveau.
It's a must-have. The action is: GO. Repeat this. www.materiaaward.com/en/books-ill...

construction sire plate with all the partners

reed on timber to be able to plaster over it

All truly best practice projects require a group of people / organisations that meet early and build trust with each other. Because the task is to go back to normal building, which this is. Climate damaging practices are not normal, the are just the norm today.🧵9

SCL Straw-Bale House / Jimmi Pianezzola Architetto Completed in 2016 in Vicenza, Italy. Images by Alberto Sinigaglia. The project reveals an idea of architecture based on archetypes as a trend-proof horizon. The archetype for home is shelter. You can ...

Someone was asking me if there is #strawbale building in #Italy. Of course, there is #strawbuilding almost everywhere. Just not yet in the quantity that it replaces highly fossil construction of today. (It could, for a good chunk.)
www.archdaily.com/875652/scl-s... #strawhouse

I want to bring this up again, because I could not believe the state of the discussion about mineral vs biomass at a talk today.

Crumbling foam backed polymer joint, water is already dripping behind the metal flashing

Roof, coping stones in the background building from 1870ies.

What originally belonged here as a joint in such wall coping stones? I suspect nothing, but that is bad for an (inside) insulated wall. @jamestaite.bsky.social @darrenmcleanuk.bsky.social

Dozens dead in Iran school blast blamed on US and Israel strikes There is no confirmation by the US or Israel of the strike on the school located near elite military troops.

108 schoolchildren killed in the strikes, per BBC (citing a local source, not yet confirmed by U.S. officials)
www.bbc.com/news/article...