S07 → N400
The Spike of Fascinating & Unexpected
SPIKE 41
→ BRICK.
© 1. Pol Viladoms/Estudio 08014 — 24 Habitatges de Protecció Pública / 2. Studio Tom Emerson — Le Corbusier’s house and garden for Charles de Beistegui (inventory of 3,800 bricks) / 3. unknown / 4. unknown / 5. EllenaMehl Architectes — Beauvais Objet virtuel BIM (38,000 bricks) / 6. Filip Dujardin — BAKSTEEN exposition / 7. NeurAstra / 8. Brick of Chicago — S Drexel Blvd. Kenwood, Chicago / 9. NeurAstra — Personnal installation / 10. Brick of Chicago — Orange Chevrons in Chatham. S Michigan Ave. Chatham / 11. ESA — 1.5-tonne building block produced as a demonstration of 3D printing techniques using lunar soil. The design is based on a hollow closed-cell structure – reminiscent of bird bones – to give a good combination of strength and weight.
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The Great Wall of China, one of the most iconic architectural marvels in history, was primarily constructed using bricks made from a mixture of clay, soil, sand, and water. The bricks were then shaped and dried in the sun or fired in kilns to harden them. It is estimated that over 3.8 billion bricks were used in its construction, spanning more than 20,921 kilometres (13,000 miles) across northern China.
The concept of the “Perfect Brick” mentioned in historical literature, such as the 1800s issues of The Clay-Worker, relates to the advancements in brick manufacturing techniques and standards during that era. The Clay-Worker was a prominent American journal published from 1884 to 1933, dedicated to the interests of the clay industry and brick trade, and it documented various technological innovations and industry practices. In the 19th century, the pursuit of creating the “Perfect Brick” was driven by the need for durable, high-quality building materials suitable for a growing urban infrastructure. Advances in kiln technology, clay processing, and molding techniques contributed to producing bricks with improved uniformity, strength, and aesthetic appeal. These developments were crucial for constructing more resilient and fireproof buildings, which was a significant concern following numerous urban fires during that period.
In 2022, researchers from the University of Manchester developed a material called “StarCrete”, using simulated lunar and Martian soil combined with potato starch and salt. This mixture produced a concrete alternative that is twice as strong as conventional concrete, which could potentially be used for building structures on the Moon and Mars. The potato starch acts as a binder, creating a material strong enough for construction in extraterrestrial environments. Additionally, research into using regolith, the loose material covering the Moon and Mars, for building construction has been ongoing. For example, the Indian Institute of Science explored microbially induced calcite precipitation to create “space bricks” using Bacillus species, which could be used in extraterrestrial habitats. Researchers at the European Space Agency (ESA) are developing techniques to create bricks from lunar dust simulants. This involves using locally available lunar soil, rich in silicates, to form solid structures like roads and habitats, potentially reducing reliance on Earth-supplied materials. The simulated lunar dust, named EAC-1, is similar to volcanic soil found near Cologne, Germany. This research aims to support sustainable lunar exploration and construction by utilising indigenous resources on the Moon.
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→ Sourced from: SYSTEM 03 (Specteore)
→ Stored online: N400 Spikes Repository
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→ Search log: Google images / Space Bricks For Lunar Habitation / Brick Brick / Brick of Chicago / Brick and Clay Record
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