TOKYO, Nov. 4 — A building material for interiors using soil from vegetable fields was created and used at a store in Tokyo.
The material is produced by casting clay into forms and drying them just like sun-dried bricks. It can absorb and release humidity, and also has the ability to fix carbon.
It is an eco-friendly material that can also be crushed and reused.
Imomatsu, a food store in Tokyo, requested an architect to develop the material in order to make its interiors match the store’s goal of promoting the attractiveness of the vegetables it sells.
The architect created the material using soil taken from fields in the town of Oiso in Kanagawa Prefecture, where vegetables are grown.
The strength of the material was enhanced by mixing soil with sand, as well as sawdust used as cushioning when transporting vegetables.
Color gradients are created by mixing in calligraphy ink containing animal glue.
They aimed to create an interior design reminiscent of geological strata by covering the walls of the shop with the material with different shades of colors.
The shop plans to sell farm produce by displaying them in front of the walls.
“The material creates a calm atmosphere and looks classy as well,” the store’s manager said with a smile.
The architect who developed the material said, “I think utilizing soil to create building materials can be one idea to help revitalize abandoned farmlands.”
A wall of a store in Tokyo’s Koto Ward is covered with a construction