Traunstein celebrates Germany’s first self-supporting clay building!

Traunstein celebrates Germany’s first self-supporting clay building!

A new chapter in architectural history has opened in Traunstein: the St. Michael campus, designed by the renowned architect Anna Heringer, recently celebrated its official inauguration. Cardinal Reinhard Marx gave his ceremonial blessing to the project, which was created in direct cooperation with the community. “The campus is more than a building; it is a sign of togetherness,” says Heringer.

A few years ago, Heringer took the first step with building a clay model in order to capture the needs of future users. Thanks to the joint planning process in which residents and employees were actively involved, the campus now exudes a distinctive identity. This unique ecosystem is shaped not only by the architecture, but also by the philosophy of the community that lives and works in it. The campus now includes several buildings, including the “Kindergarten Center St. Oswald”, which has been in operation since 2021.

Sustainability in focus

A special highlight of the project is the newly designed earth building, which is considered to be the first self-supporting earth building in Germany. In the future, this will provide space for 22 seminarians, with the possibility of doubling this if necessary. Heringer has managed to dissolve the strict form of the old seminary and replace it with organic, inviting forms. “Clay is not just a building material, it contributes to the sustainable design of our environment,” emphasizes Heringer again and again. The clay for the campus comes from Vorarlberg, as there were no local procurement options, which underlines the enormous challenge and lack of skilled workers in the field of clay building.

Heringer also criticizes the German construction system, which is slow to adapt to sustainable materials. “The current building standards are too rigid to enable creative and sustainable use of raw materials such as clay,” she explains. Their projects, such as educating people about the benefits of clay as a building material, are intended to initiate a rethink in the industry. After all, the St. Michael campus is not just a place for learning, but a living example of environmentally conscious construction.

A creative community

The campus is not only characterized by its buildings, but also by the lively cooperation with church and secular institutions such as Caritas and local art associations. The interior design is also based on sustainability: the furniture comes predominantly from recycling. The entire project cost the diocese over 57 million euros, but the investment is expected to pay off in the long term, both in terms of use and ecological footprint.

However, Heringer is not standing still: two more buildings are currently being planned. One of these, a boarding school building, will be constructed primarily of wood and is a collaboration with Koehler Architects and Consulting Engineers. A new rammed earth forum will also be created, supported by local architects, to further develop and enrich the campus.

The St. Michael campus in Traunstein will not only be a place of education, but also a living example of innovative, sustainable architecture that brings people together and promotes a rethink in the building materials sector.

Visit the comprehensive website and find out more about the project South Germans, Anna Heringer and BR.