After a lot of researching, thinking and worrying, we finally settled on an insulation system and wall structure which we hope will last, be risk-free and provide us with the insulation and temperature management ratings we were aiming for.

The solution we’ve opted for are hollow bricks typically used to build inside walls. To give more mass to the bricks (for better heat retention and management of temperature swings inside the house), we decided to fill them with a mixture of red clay-based soil (which we went to get 15kms away, on one of my brothers’ property), sand and lime-based cement. The mixture needs to be rather liquid so it properly fills all cavities of the bricks. Once dried, the bricks are slightly heavier but can be handled without one worrying about the soil pouring out of them.