Earth as a building material between past and future / Terra cruda nelle costruzioni tra passato e futuro

A sort of dual perspective between past and future is required when tackling the subject of earth as a building material. On the one hand, the earthen architectural heritage built since time immemorial represents a relevant field of investigation because of its documentary value and the specific problems of conservation. On the other hand, earth is often proposed as a valid alternative in building today, as part of a widespread trend towards sustainability. The need to better conserve the testimonies from the past and the unavoidable effect on the environment of the technical choices taken with regard to new buildings, lead in a single direction: the centrality of knowledge. After decades of study carried out, it can be asserted that there is no lack of basic information regarding materials and techniques of employment, and it must be said that efforts to update productive processes from the past are rather advanced. Perhaps one of the limitations might be that there have only been sporadic occasions when knowledge regarding bygone utilization of the material, and knowledge aimed towards the future of this ancient technology.