Digital "Down to Earth" lecture series

Despite its ecological and physical advantages, earth remains a niche material in the construction industry - a lack of standardization, gaps in research and reservations have so far prevented its widespread use. In order to change this, the "Teaching in earth building working group" was founded in spring 2025 under the umbrella of the DVL:/bildung/akademische-aus-und-weiterbildung (AG Lehre). The central first project: the nationwide digital lecture series "Down to Earth". It makes current knowledge on sustainable building with earth accessible free of charge, brings experts and students together across universities and creates space for exchange between research, teaching and practice. The result is an open, networked and contemporary teaching of earth building - with the aim of breaking down barriers, creating visibility and promoting a sustainable building culture.

Lecture dates

The lecture series is a series of events organized by the Dachverband Lehm e.V. teaching working group and is aimed at students, specialist planners, people from the field and anyone interested in earth as a building material.

The 11 lectures are free of charge and take place online, always on Wednesdays from 16:00 - 17:30:

October 29, 2025, 16:00 - 17:30 " Details

"Down to Earth" #1 - Introduction | HANDS-ON

• Stephan Jörchel, Dachverband Lehm e.V., HS Erfurt
• Oliver André Wege, TU Dresden
• Jasmine Alia Blaschek, FH Potsdam, Bauhaus University Weimar

November 05, 2025, 16:00 - 17:30 " Details

"Down to Earth" #2 - Clay basics | Material

• Konstantin Nille-Hauf, Biberach University of Applied Sciences
• Eric Wente, HfT Stuttgart

November 12, 2025, 16:00 - 17:30 " Details

"Down to Earth" #3 - History | Construction

• Katharina Sprenger, TU Dortmund University
• Junior Prof. Anne Hangebruch, TU Dortmund University

November 26, 2025, 16:00 - 17:30 " Details

"Down to Earth" #4 - Clay product systems in building practice

• Dr. Philipp Wiehle, Dachverband Lehm e.V.
• Ulrich Röhlen, Dachverband Lehm e.V.

December 03, 2025, 16:00 - 17:30 " Details

"Down to Earth" #5 - Earth block masonry

• Annika Becker, TU Darmstadt

December 10, 2025, 16:00 - 17:30 " Details

"Down to Earth" #6 - Rammed earth

• Hilke Manot, University of Kassel
• Johanna Baier, Dachverband Lehm e.V.

December 17, 2025, 16:00 - 17:30 " Details

"Down to Earth" #7 - Material-specific construction with clay - ceiling | wall

• Tamara Haußer, KIT Karlsruhe Institute of Technology
• Stefanie Huthöfer, Bauhaus University Weimar

January 14, 2026, 16:00 - 17:30 " Details

"Down to Earth" #8 - Repair | Refurbishment

• Prof. Dr. Jörg Röder, FH Potsdam
• Benedikt Füger, FH Potsdam

January 21, 2026, 16:00 - 17:30 " Details

"Down to Earth" #9 - Research

• Julian Mönig, TU Berlin, FHNW
• Dr. Larissa Daube, Bauhaus University Weimar

January 28, 2026, 16:00 - 17:30 " Details

"Down to Earth" #10 - Additive manufacturing

• Leonie Gleiser, TU Dresden
• Hendrik Benz, RWTH Aachen University

February 04, 2026, 16:00 - 17:30 " Details

"Down to Earth" #11 - Global earth building | Review

• Prof. Heiner Lippe, TH Lübeck
• Oliver André Wege, TU Dresden
• Stephan Jörchel, Dachverband Lehm e.V.