Summer School and Workshops on Earth-Based Construction (LImA)
The Earth-Based Summer Academy is part of a joint project between the University of Applied Sciences Potsdam and Mittweida University of Applied Sciences, and will take place for the first time in Weißenfels from the 7th to the 18th of September 2026. In collaboration with the City of Weißenfels and WIR! Alliance GOLEHM, the project – which is funded by the Federal Ministry of Research, Technology and Space – brings together students from various disciplines and offers a varied programme of events for the interested public.
The central venue is our open-access teaching workshop, located in a vacant shop premises at Jüdenstraße 5 in Weißenfels, which serves as a meeting place, seminar room, workshop and, finally, an exhibition space for the students’ work.
In addition to the exhibition, the public programme includes hands-on workshops, several specialist talks and an excursion in the region on the topic of earthen construction. Anyone interested is invited to engage in conversation with students, experts and local residents, gain practical insights into earthen construction and contribute their own perspectives.
Further details on the Earth-Based Construction Summer Academy and the programme can be found on the project’s website.
10/09/2026, 5.00 pm
Exhibition Opening and Specialist Talks by Experts in Earth-Based Construction
On Thursday the 10th of September, the training workshop at Jüdenstraße 5 will open its doors for the first time from 5.00 pm. Visitors can look forward to an exhibition opening featuring fascinating specialist talks by experts in earthen construction. The exhibition space will showcase exhibits developed by students, as well as academic posters on historical and modern earth-building techniques. The programme also includes a best-practice and earth-building materials exhibition, illustrating the diverse possibilities of earth-building.
The programme is complemented by two specialist talks, including one by researcher Leonie Gleiser from the university TU Dresden.
The Earthen Construction Summer Academy warmly invites you to explore the teaching workshop, engage in conversation with experts and students, and learn about earth as a building material from different perspectives.
Offene Lehrwerkstatt
Jüdenstraße 5
06667 Weißenfels
Germany
11/09/2026, 1.00 pm – 5.00 pm
Open Day
On Friday the 11th of September, the training workshop will be open from 1.00 pm to 5.00 pm. Visitors can take part in various earth-building techniques. The students will be sharing their newly acquired knowledge, demonstrating practical applications and will be on hand to answer questions and chat. Whether you’d like to get involved, find out more or simply pop in: anyone interested is very welcome.
On Friday afternoon, architect Ahmend Othman will present the complete renovation of a Weller clay house. Mr Othman will deliver the talk in English.
Offene Lehrwerstatt
Jüdenstraße 5
06667 Weißenfels
Germany
12/09/2026, 10.00 am – 2.00 pm
Open Day
On Saturday the 12th of September, the training workshop will be open from 10.00 am to 2.00 pm. Until 12.00 pm, there will be a range of hands-on workshops for you to try out – the students will be demonstrating practical applications of their newly acquired knowledge and will be on hand to answer any questions. From 12.00 pm to 2.00 pm, the training workshop will be open for anyone to drop in; here too, the students will be happy to chat.
Hands-on workshops will be on offer until 12:00 pm. From 12:00 pm to 2:00 pm, the training workshop will be open to anyone interested in popping in and finding out more. We’ll be happy to answer any questions and have a chat.
Offene Lehrwerkstatt
Jüdenstraße 5
06667 Weißenfels
Germany
16/09/2026, 9.00 am – 4.00 pm
Earth-Building – Field Trip
On Wednesday the 16 September, a joint coach trip will take us to selected sites of earthen construction in the region around Weißenfels. The programme includes a visit to the Kleinfahner clay works, where the production and processing of modern clay building materials will be demonstrated. We will also visit some remarkable solid clay buildings that illustrate this traditional construction method and the durability of clay as a building material.
The excursion is free of charge, but as there are a limited number of places available, please register via the link below.
The meeting point will be announced upon registration.
17/09/2026, 5.00 pm – 8.00 pm
Closing Event Featuring Specialist Presentations by Experts in Earth-Based Construction
On Thursday the 17th of September, ahead of the official opening of the exhibition, the training workshop will open its doors one last time from 5.00 pm to 8.00 pm and invites you to join us in bringing the Summer Academy on Earthen Construction to a close.
The closing event will begin with two specialist talks, one by Dr Ipek Ölcüm from the German Industrial Association for Earthen Building Materials and the other by earthen building advocate Björn Klug.
To round off the event, anyone interested is warmly invited to explore the training workshop and the exhibition, chat with experts and students, and discuss the diverse perspectives on clay as a building material together.
Offene Lehrwerkstatt
Jüdenstraße 5
06667 Weißenfels
Germany
Contact
Department of Civil Engineering
