Site Excavated Subsoil Earth Blocks

Event details

Wednesday 12 March, 1pm – 2pm

Using site excavated subsoil to make earth blocks for building construction

The second in our series of four lunchtime CPD lectures addressing the theme ‘New Ideas for Old Buildings’.  

Using the Tribeca development near King’s Cross, London, as a case study, Nikolay Shahpazov will be discussing the use of site excavated subsoil to make earth blocks for building construction.  These earth blocks were used in place of concrete in the building of a new laboratory for the London BioScience Innovation Centre (LBIC), the first project in the UK where their application has been achieved at this scale.  Emitting just 1/10 of the CO2 of cement alternatives, they highlight one of the ways traditional construction methods and materials can be combined with modern manufacturing techniques to produce low-carbon building products.

Topics covered

• How can we move towards using regenerative building materials?  
• What does this type of architecture look like? 
• How did the site earth block idea come about and how has it been developed into a viable product? 
• Why are we running out of sand?
• What other building materials could we make out of excavated subsoil and how can this material be applied to flooring, wall finishes and insulation?

Speaker bio

Nikolay is an associate at Bennetts Associates who has pioneered the use of site-excavated subsoil to manufacture ultra-low carbon earth blocks for building. Bennetts Associates’ first project to use the blocks is the Apex, a new laboratory building that forms part of the Tribeca development near King’s Cross in London and will be occupied by the London BioScience Innovation Centre (LBIC). It is the first project in the UK where the use of earth blocks has been achieved at this scale. The building will be completed in Spring, 2025. Nikolay is part of the Bennetts Associates Sustainability Team where his task is the implementation of regenerative building materials.

About this series

Join us for lunch-hour sessions specially designed to give you a way to easily meet your CPD requirements and improve your understanding of building conservation. 

Taking inspiration from the SPAB-STBA conference on ‘New Ideas for Old Buildings’ last November, we continue to focus on the challenges faced by traditional and historic buildings in the face of climate change, technological advancements, skills shortages and economic pressures.  

Ideal for buildings professionals and students, as well as those with wider interest in heritage conservation, our expert speakers will explore where tradition meets innovation, and how the past informs the future.  

Held via Zoom each talk will include a live Q&A session with the speakers. The recordings will also be available to watch for one month after the events.

The CPD sessions are £20 each (£15 concessions*) and can also be booked as a package of four at the discounted price of £65 (£48 concessions*).

* These concessions prices are available for students and people who are unwaged or on low income. There are no eligibility criteria, these discounts are available for anyone who needs them. This is a trust-based system and we do not require proof or even an explanation of the rate you choose

Other talks in this series

Wednesday 5 March 2025, 1pm – 2pm BOOK HERE
Matt Bateman and Greg Meeson, Refinery Studio - Technology and Tradition: using digital tools to support the traditional woodcarving process

Wednesday 19 March 2025, 1pm – 2pm BOOK HERE
Laura Morgante, Peregrine Bryant Architects - A lime seamless floor at the Royal Hospital Chelsea: an experimental approach from the tradition of Venetian beaten lime floors of the 18th century

Wednesday 26 March 2025, 1pm – 2pm BOOK HERE
Jonathan Garlick, The SPAB and Mal Fryer, Malcolm Fryer Architects - Touching the Old Lightly: New Ideas at the Old House Project

CLICK HERE to book all four lectures as a package for £65 (saving £15) or £48 for concessions (saving £12)

Assessment / Accreditation 

A CPD certificate can be issued upon request. 

Accessibility

• We will enable live transcriptions in Zoom.  To find out more about this feature, please visit the Zoom website: Using call live transcription

Anything we can do to make this event more accessible for you? Please email education@spab.org.uk

Partners

This event is brought to you in association with the Sustainable Traditional Buildings Alliance (STBA)

The STBA (Sustainable Traditional Buildings Alliance) is an alliance of the UK's leading organisations associated with the conservation and improvement of traditional buildings. The STBA aims to develop policy, guidance and training to minimise risks and maximise benefits to traditional buildings and their owners.

About us

The Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings (SPAB) is here for old buildings and the people who care for them. Based on years of experience and research we understand how old buildings work.

We may take photos or videos at this event to be used in future promotion, including in print and online.

All bookings are subject to our Terms and Conditions. 

Photo credit: Alastair Bogle / Bennetts Associates