SALT WATER CLAY
CIRCULAR STUDENT HOUSING
with Tillmann Gebauer
SALT WATER CLAY investigates how regional raw materials—especially local earth from West Jutland—can serve as sustainable building resources for a new neighborhood center in Esbjerg’s diverse “International Kvarter.” Drawing on a comprehensive bioregional analysis, extensive material testing with local clay, and the concept of an on-site field factory for producing construction components, the research culminated in a concrete architectural proposal.
At the heart of the ensemble is a circular student residence with 90 micro-apartments that complements the nearby university. Its hybrid structural system combines locally sourced clay (excavated from a new rainwater basin) with reused reinforced-concrete segments from decommissioned wind turbine towers whose other components have reached the end of their lifespan.
Together, the three buildings frame a central semi-public plaza. In the communal and public ground floors, tall beech-wood transfer beams span between massive clay-brick pillars forming small niches to create large, open rooms beneath the finer-grained structure above. All water and heating lines run visibly and reversibly along the beam plane.
The micro-apartments above with prefabricated bathroom modules—structurally decoupled from the load-bearing system—are efficiently organized in order to allow comfortable living within just 14 m². One wall features exposed clay brick, while the opposite is clad in white-stained wood. Behind it, sea-grass–clay lightweight panels provide acoustic separation. The ceiling consists of field-factory-made clay vault bricks suspended between structural beams, giving each room its distinctive character.
Gallery-access walkways connect the units and form semi-private thresholds that strengthen the communal quality of the ensemble.