Michael Burchert
@michaelburchert.bsky.social
🇪🇺 Educator, Speaker, Builder, Activist. Regenerative construction.
That #strawhouse guy.
Fixing mistakes @ built environment. Independent #Bauwende construction revolution advocacy, english & german word salad, enjoy! https://linktr.ee/michaelburchert
That #strawhouse guy.
Fixing mistakes @ built environment. Independent #Bauwende construction revolution advocacy, english & german word salad, enjoy! https://linktr.ee/michaelburchert
Pinned
Our project looked at climate neutrality 🇩🇪 2045.
Buildings built in '25 have an operational greenhouse gas emission budget of 6.86 kg CO2e/(m²*a) + embodied 6.41 kg CO2e/(m²*a).
By 2045, these budgets will be reduced to 1.05 and 0.79 kg CO2e/(m²*a), respectively.
iopscience.iop.org/article/10.1...
Buildings built in '25 have an operational greenhouse gas emission budget of 6.86 kg CO2e/(m²*a) + embodied 6.41 kg CO2e/(m²*a).
By 2045, these budgets will be reduced to 1.05 and 0.79 kg CO2e/(m²*a), respectively.
iopscience.iop.org/article/10.1...
Ok I quit.
I hate to break it to you, but most modern insulation (the pink stuff you see in new construction) is actually made from glass. Primarily recycled glass bottles and the like. It's also non-flammable, unlike straw. Why try to find issues where none exist? Spend your energy somewhere where it matters.
February 17, 2026 at 7:30 PM
Ok I quit.
Complete peatland restoration is an absolute no brainer. It's such a low hanging fruit, that it's a litmus test if your government is serious about climate goals, biodiversity etc.
"Drained peatlands in Finland can become carbon sinks within just 15 years of restoration, suggests a study published in Restoration Ecology."
Restored peatlands can become habitats right away and stop harmful discharge to the rivers and lakes.
#RestoreNature
eos.org/articles/res...
Restored peatlands can become habitats right away and stop harmful discharge to the rivers and lakes.
#RestoreNature
eos.org/articles/res...
Restored Peatlands Could Become Carbon Sinks Within Decades - Eos
That’s much faster than what most scientists thought.
eos.org
February 17, 2026 at 6:19 PM
Complete peatland restoration is an absolute no brainer. It's such a low hanging fruit, that it's a litmus test if your government is serious about climate goals, biodiversity etc.
We have to insulate >9 billion square meters until 2050 in the EU.
I don't think it needs many brain cells to realize that this needs to be done with regenerative materials like straw; which is available and cheap instead of fossil, synthetic materials.
I don't think it needs many brain cells to realize that this needs to be done with regenerative materials like straw; which is available and cheap instead of fossil, synthetic materials.
Every straw panel factory could take a byproduct of local agriculture (wheat straw) and produce 40,000m² of panels every year, locking up 4,000 tonnes of CO₂e
For comparison, an average carbon footprint of a person in UK is 10 tonnes of CO₂e per year
For comparison, an average carbon footprint of a person in UK is 10 tonnes of CO₂e per year
February 17, 2026 at 6:09 PM
We have to insulate >9 billion square meters until 2050 in the EU.
I don't think it needs many brain cells to realize that this needs to be done with regenerative materials like straw; which is available and cheap instead of fossil, synthetic materials.
I don't think it needs many brain cells to realize that this needs to be done with regenerative materials like straw; which is available and cheap instead of fossil, synthetic materials.
Reposted by Michael Burchert
Every straw panel factory could take a byproduct of local agriculture (wheat straw) and produce 40,000m² of panels every year, locking up 4,000 tonnes of CO₂e
For comparison, an average carbon footprint of a person in UK is 10 tonnes of CO₂e per year
For comparison, an average carbon footprint of a person in UK is 10 tonnes of CO₂e per year
February 17, 2026 at 5:55 PM
Every straw panel factory could take a byproduct of local agriculture (wheat straw) and produce 40,000m² of panels every year, locking up 4,000 tonnes of CO₂e
For comparison, an average carbon footprint of a person in UK is 10 tonnes of CO₂e per year
For comparison, an average carbon footprint of a person in UK is 10 tonnes of CO₂e per year
Reposted by Michael Burchert
Was Wind + Sonne für die Energiewende ist, sind Lehm + nachwachsende Rohstoffe für die Bauwende. Weltweit machen sich Menschen abseits von Beton & Stahl auf den Weg. Werden praktischer, weil nur so das Neue in die Welt kommt. Nabil, Bauphysiker gibt uns Einblicke: docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...
Freue mich sehr auf den Vortrag. Damals wurde ich belächelt als ich in Unis/Berufsschulen zeigte, wie #Lehmbau geht. Damals brachte ich meine Gartenerde mit. Nun sind ehemalige Teilnehmehmende in der ganzen Welt @ #Bauwende unterwegs. Bin froh Teil des Wegs zu sein.
biwena.de/index.php/ev... 1/2
biwena.de/index.php/ev... 1/2
February 17, 2026 at 9:52 AM
Was Wind + Sonne für die Energiewende ist, sind Lehm + nachwachsende Rohstoffe für die Bauwende. Weltweit machen sich Menschen abseits von Beton & Stahl auf den Weg. Werden praktischer, weil nur so das Neue in die Welt kommt. Nabil, Bauphysiker gibt uns Einblicke: docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...
By comparison, the public sector in Germany has an annual procurement volume of around 400 billion $. (Which should be used for sustainable, democratic, convivial things.) Source bescha.de
650 billion this year?
In the midst of a climate crisis and the sixth mass extinction, it should be the bare minimum of responsibility to build data centers climate-neutral. This applies not only to their operation, of course, but also to their construction.
www.faz.net/aktuell/wirt...
In the midst of a climate crisis and the sixth mass extinction, it should be the bare minimum of responsibility to build data centers climate-neutral. This applies not only to their operation, of course, but also to their construction.
www.faz.net/aktuell/wirt...
Google, Meta und die 650 Milliarden Dollar KI-Wette
Die vier großen US-Techkonzerne wollen in diesem Jahr 650 Milliarden Dollar in KI-Rechenzentren investieren. Hat es ähnlich hohe Infrastrukturinvestitionen schon mal gegeben? Eine Spurensuche.
www.faz.net
February 17, 2026 at 5:25 PM
By comparison, the public sector in Germany has an annual procurement volume of around 400 billion $. (Which should be used for sustainable, democratic, convivial things.) Source bescha.de
Reposted by Michael Burchert
24.02. 11-12:30 kostenfreier Onlinevortrag + Diskussion mit Nabil El Schami, Produktionsleiter Lehm-Holz-Hybrid Deckenelementvorfertigung für das wegweisende Hortus Gebäude von Herzog de Meuron. #Lehmbau #Bauwende #Architektur
Anmeldung: docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...
Anmeldung: docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...
February 17, 2026 at 9:59 AM
24.02. 11-12:30 kostenfreier Onlinevortrag + Diskussion mit Nabil El Schami, Produktionsleiter Lehm-Holz-Hybrid Deckenelementvorfertigung für das wegweisende Hortus Gebäude von Herzog de Meuron. #Lehmbau #Bauwende #Architektur
Anmeldung: docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...
Anmeldung: docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...
24.02. 11-12:30 kostenfreier Onlinevortrag + Diskussion mit Nabil El Schami, Produktionsleiter Lehm-Holz-Hybrid Deckenelementvorfertigung für das wegweisende Hortus Gebäude von Herzog de Meuron. #Lehmbau #Bauwende #Architektur
Anmeldung: docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...
Anmeldung: docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...
February 17, 2026 at 9:59 AM
24.02. 11-12:30 kostenfreier Onlinevortrag + Diskussion mit Nabil El Schami, Produktionsleiter Lehm-Holz-Hybrid Deckenelementvorfertigung für das wegweisende Hortus Gebäude von Herzog de Meuron. #Lehmbau #Bauwende #Architektur
Anmeldung: docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...
Anmeldung: docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...
Was Wind + Sonne für die Energiewende ist, sind Lehm + nachwachsende Rohstoffe für die Bauwende. Weltweit machen sich Menschen abseits von Beton & Stahl auf den Weg. Werden praktischer, weil nur so das Neue in die Welt kommt. Nabil, Bauphysiker gibt uns Einblicke: docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...
Freue mich sehr auf den Vortrag. Damals wurde ich belächelt als ich in Unis/Berufsschulen zeigte, wie #Lehmbau geht. Damals brachte ich meine Gartenerde mit. Nun sind ehemalige Teilnehmehmende in der ganzen Welt @ #Bauwende unterwegs. Bin froh Teil des Wegs zu sein.
biwena.de/index.php/ev... 1/2
biwena.de/index.php/ev... 1/2
February 17, 2026 at 9:52 AM
Was Wind + Sonne für die Energiewende ist, sind Lehm + nachwachsende Rohstoffe für die Bauwende. Weltweit machen sich Menschen abseits von Beton & Stahl auf den Weg. Werden praktischer, weil nur so das Neue in die Welt kommt. Nabil, Bauphysiker gibt uns Einblicke: docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...
Reposted by Michael Burchert
Insgeheim grün.
www.lvz.de/wirtschaft/r...
www.lvz.de/wirtschaft/r...
Sachsen ist ostdeutscher Spitzenreiter bei Wärmepumpen
Mehr und mehr Sachsen installieren sich eine Wärmepumpe. Besonders auf dem Land sind sie beliebt. Dennoch sind viele Hausbesitzer verunsichert.
www.lvz.de
February 17, 2026 at 9:17 AM
Insgeheim grün.
www.lvz.de/wirtschaft/r...
www.lvz.de/wirtschaft/r...
We think we are on the right track, but the figures tell a different story.
February 17, 2026 at 9:14 AM
We think we are on the right track, but the figures tell a different story.
Reposted by Michael Burchert
Owners of Ring doorbells are being advised to smash them to splinters after a commercial showed how they could be used to surveil and identify humans with AI. Super Bowl LX may be remembered as the start of a counter-revolution against the technology. lloydalter.substack.com/p/the-smart-...
The smart home counter-revolution has begun
It started with a cute lost puppy.
lloydalter.substack.com
February 16, 2026 at 12:09 PM
Owners of Ring doorbells are being advised to smash them to splinters after a commercial showed how they could be used to surveil and identify humans with AI. Super Bowl LX may be remembered as the start of a counter-revolution against the technology. lloydalter.substack.com/p/the-smart-...
Reposted by Michael Burchert
Reposted by Michael Burchert
Cederhusen, Stockholm.
245 apartments in 10-13 storey cedar-clad buildings, with a cross laminated timber structure.
Designed by General Architecture.
A thread 🧵
245 apartments in 10-13 storey cedar-clad buildings, with a cross laminated timber structure.
Designed by General Architecture.
A thread 🧵
February 17, 2026 at 8:06 AM
Cederhusen, Stockholm.
245 apartments in 10-13 storey cedar-clad buildings, with a cross laminated timber structure.
Designed by General Architecture.
A thread 🧵
245 apartments in 10-13 storey cedar-clad buildings, with a cross laminated timber structure.
Designed by General Architecture.
A thread 🧵
Reposted by Michael Burchert
🌾 Straw performs exceptionally well when moisture is managed as a system.
In the latest @ecococon.bsky.social blog, we look at the often discussed topic of moisture 💦
👇
ecococon.eu/blog/2026/ho...
In the latest @ecococon.bsky.social blog, we look at the often discussed topic of moisture 💦
👇
ecococon.eu/blog/2026/ho...
February 15, 2026 at 8:36 AM
🌾 Straw performs exceptionally well when moisture is managed as a system.
In the latest @ecococon.bsky.social blog, we look at the often discussed topic of moisture 💦
👇
ecococon.eu/blog/2026/ho...
In the latest @ecococon.bsky.social blog, we look at the often discussed topic of moisture 💦
👇
ecococon.eu/blog/2026/ho...
Reposted by Michael Burchert
Bundesamt für Katastrophenschutz.
Wenn der Strom ausfällt, funktioniert vielleicht auch die Heizung nicht. Es kann im Winter kalt werden.
Warum schreiben sie nicht, dass die Auskühlung im Winter bei gut gedämmten Wohnungen kein Problem ist?
Wenn der Strom ausfällt, funktioniert vielleicht auch die Heizung nicht. Es kann im Winter kalt werden.
Warum schreiben sie nicht, dass die Auskühlung im Winter bei gut gedämmten Wohnungen kein Problem ist?
February 16, 2026 at 3:22 PM
Bundesamt für Katastrophenschutz.
Wenn der Strom ausfällt, funktioniert vielleicht auch die Heizung nicht. Es kann im Winter kalt werden.
Warum schreiben sie nicht, dass die Auskühlung im Winter bei gut gedämmten Wohnungen kein Problem ist?
Wenn der Strom ausfällt, funktioniert vielleicht auch die Heizung nicht. Es kann im Winter kalt werden.
Warum schreiben sie nicht, dass die Auskühlung im Winter bei gut gedämmten Wohnungen kein Problem ist?
Reposted by Michael Burchert
February 17, 2026 at 7:22 AM
Reposted by Michael Burchert
"Thickness is often conceived in negative terms in contemporary architecture, indicative of a lack of material optimization & therefore inefficient. However,[...] agricultural waste products, like straw, invert those logics"
ltlarchitects.com/mass-straw-house
ltlarchitects.com/mass-straw-house
January 30, 2026 at 11:02 AM
"Thickness is often conceived in negative terms in contemporary architecture, indicative of a lack of material optimization & therefore inefficient. However,[...] agricultural waste products, like straw, invert those logics"
ltlarchitects.com/mass-straw-house
ltlarchitects.com/mass-straw-house
Reposted by Michael Burchert
OKAY BIG ONE FOR YA
NEW report out today: I dig deep into how big tech has been muddling tech types and overstating evidence to claim "AI" will make global emissions drop like a stone....
Not only will it not, it seems to be verifiably doing the opposite!!
ketanjoshi.co/2026/02/17/b... + 📼+🧵>
NEW report out today: I dig deep into how big tech has been muddling tech types and overstating evidence to claim "AI" will make global emissions drop like a stone....
Not only will it not, it seems to be verifiably doing the opposite!!
ketanjoshi.co/2026/02/17/b... + 📼+🧵>
February 17, 2026 at 6:48 AM
OKAY BIG ONE FOR YA
NEW report out today: I dig deep into how big tech has been muddling tech types and overstating evidence to claim "AI" will make global emissions drop like a stone....
Not only will it not, it seems to be verifiably doing the opposite!!
ketanjoshi.co/2026/02/17/b... + 📼+🧵>
NEW report out today: I dig deep into how big tech has been muddling tech types and overstating evidence to claim "AI" will make global emissions drop like a stone....
Not only will it not, it seems to be verifiably doing the opposite!!
ketanjoshi.co/2026/02/17/b... + 📼+🧵>
Good morning.
You can write to your representative today about climate change, better building, retrofitting, sustainable public procurement etc.
You can write to your representative today about climate change, better building, retrofitting, sustainable public procurement etc.
February 17, 2026 at 7:35 AM
Good morning.
You can write to your representative today about climate change, better building, retrofitting, sustainable public procurement etc.
You can write to your representative today about climate change, better building, retrofitting, sustainable public procurement etc.
Reposted by Michael Burchert
Have you ever once seen the New York Times quote Trump like this?
February 16, 2026 at 6:24 PM
Have you ever once seen the New York Times quote Trump like this?
Reposted by Michael Burchert
2019:
Me: gas car
Brother 1: gas car
Sister 1: gas car
Brother 2: gas car
Sister 2: gas car
Sister-in-law: gas car
Nephew: gas car
2026:
Me: used EV
Brother 1: used EV
Sister 1: used EV
Brother 2: used EV
Sister 2: used EV
Sister-in-law: used EV
Nephew: used EV
Less talk.
More action.
Me: gas car
Brother 1: gas car
Sister 1: gas car
Brother 2: gas car
Sister 2: gas car
Sister-in-law: gas car
Nephew: gas car
2026:
Me: used EV
Brother 1: used EV
Sister 1: used EV
Brother 2: used EV
Sister 2: used EV
Sister-in-law: used EV
Nephew: used EV
Less talk.
More action.
February 16, 2026 at 6:52 PM
2019:
Me: gas car
Brother 1: gas car
Sister 1: gas car
Brother 2: gas car
Sister 2: gas car
Sister-in-law: gas car
Nephew: gas car
2026:
Me: used EV
Brother 1: used EV
Sister 1: used EV
Brother 2: used EV
Sister 2: used EV
Sister-in-law: used EV
Nephew: used EV
Less talk.
More action.
Me: gas car
Brother 1: gas car
Sister 1: gas car
Brother 2: gas car
Sister 2: gas car
Sister-in-law: gas car
Nephew: gas car
2026:
Me: used EV
Brother 1: used EV
Sister 1: used EV
Brother 2: used EV
Sister 2: used EV
Sister-in-law: used EV
Nephew: used EV
Less talk.
More action.
Reposted by Michael Burchert
The current best practice, ... say DGNB gold, platin, think of the e.g. best EU practice Holzbau school, is not even inside todays limits. It's only getting worse in the future, the budget shrinks. We need to step up significantly (retrofit + renewable materials + sufficiency) or -stop- building.
February 16, 2026 at 9:53 AM
The current best practice, ... say DGNB gold, platin, think of the e.g. best EU practice Holzbau school, is not even inside todays limits. It's only getting worse in the future, the budget shrinks. We need to step up significantly (retrofit + renewable materials + sufficiency) or -stop- building.
Reposted by Michael Burchert
The 2023 article that created these graphs posits 3 causes: English-speaking countries disproportionately
1. dislike living in or near apartments/condos/row houses
2. do not do "proactive public engagement at the policy-setting stage"
3. now have less land for building due to a legacy of sprawl
1. dislike living in or near apartments/condos/row houses
2. do not do "proactive public engagement at the policy-setting stage"
3. now have less land for building due to a legacy of sprawl
February 16, 2026 at 5:55 PM
The 2023 article that created these graphs posits 3 causes: English-speaking countries disproportionately
1. dislike living in or near apartments/condos/row houses
2. do not do "proactive public engagement at the policy-setting stage"
3. now have less land for building due to a legacy of sprawl
1. dislike living in or near apartments/condos/row houses
2. do not do "proactive public engagement at the policy-setting stage"
3. now have less land for building due to a legacy of sprawl
functional vs dysfunctional (for the average people at least)
Great piece from @dsquareddigest.bsky.social, which touches on one of the big theories for why English-speaking countries do especially badly at housebuilding:
Adversarial and litigious common law systems (Anglo) vs judge-led civil law systems elsewhere.
samf.substack.com/p/build-the-...
Adversarial and litigious common law systems (Anglo) vs judge-led civil law systems elsewhere.
samf.substack.com/p/build-the-...
February 16, 2026 at 2:57 PM
functional vs dysfunctional (for the average people at least)