Your Guide To Green

Clay is one of the oldest, healthiest and most sustainable building materials on earth. It pre-dates recorded history and has been used by indigenous peoples for millennia, all across the globe.

From the walls of Jericho, The Ziggurats of ancient Babylon, The Great Wall of China, the Coliseum and the Minarets of Islam to sophisticated modern structures around the world clay has been, and continues to be, the building material of choice for much of the world’s population.

As recently as 100 years ago clay and clay components were among the most broadly used construction resources in Central Europe and the American Southwest. And today clay remains the major construction material in many countries in Asia, Africa and South America.

During the late 19th century clay construction began to fade with the rise of concrete as the material of choice. Today, however, increasing consciousness of environmental issues has given rise to a whole new generation of clay advocates and aficionados.

According to Rudolf Reitz, founder of BioShield Healthy Living Paints in Santa Fe, New Mexico ( www.bioshieldpaint.com ), clay is a living, breathing building material that actually improves the air around it, absorbing and releasing humidity relatively quickly. This results in a naturally regulated level of humidity and with it a healthier room climate is achieved.

Reitz says, “There is a large fluctuation in the cost of using clay depending on whether you build an adobe structure or you go over an existing structure with finish clay plaster or paint. For example, BioShield clay paint runs about $40 per gallon (and a bit less if 5 gallons are purchased) and a 55-pound bag of finish clay plaster runs $68.� Reitz also points out, “You can make your own adobe plaster and save considerably.�

Due to its moisture-regulating properties clay may prevent the drying out of mucous membranes and reduce the build-up of fine dust. These qualities suggest that clay construction may help prevent many colds, respiratory problems and allergic reactions.

The beauty of clay is legendary and when tinted with natural pigments or mica, stunning nuances and artistic surfaces can be created and enjoyed for years.

Since most of us spend up to 90 percent of our time indoors in a weather tight environment, the materials we live with should be given great consideration. Clay offers a healthier alternative to modern materials that often are laced with binders, glues, formaldehyde and other questionable materials that release toxins into our inner environment.

Clay has also been described as an air purifier and odor reducer and it is proven that clay absorbs toxins dissolved in water vapor from the air.

Clay also stores heat in the winter and coolness in the summer. Therefore, designing and building with clay will contribute considerably to energy savings. When you factor in the low energy required for the preparation of clay, from processing to usage, building with it is very environmentally friendly. According to Reitz, processing clay takes only one percent of the energy required to make bricks or concrete.

If you’re fortunate enough to travel widely or have friends in the Southwest, particularly New Mexico, you can experience the subtle natural beauty of classic adobe homes that handle the extremes of cold winters and hot summers with little variation.

Friends that have visited our adobe home in Santa Fe marvel at the beauty, texture and sensuous smoothness of the walls. Walls of clay plaster add visual excitement as well as environmental soundness to every structure small or grand. ;s icon is an image from the construction of the Chapel of Reconciliation, Berlin 1999 — 2000. It is referenced from link: