How to properly renovate a clinker home: a guide dedicated to the rehabilitation of this construction material

The Rhône Métropole Council for Architecture, Urban Planning and the Environment and Cerema announce the publication of the study "Properly renovating clinker housing," a guide dedicated to the rehabilitation of this building material, emblematic of Lyon's architecture and other industrial regions between 1880 and 1960.

A unique guide to rehabilitating a still little-known heritage

Available for consultation and download on the CAUE Rhône Métropole website, this guide constitutes a resource for building professionals and project leaders concerned with reconciling heritage preservation with thermal comfort and energy performance requirements.

Often overlooked, clinker is an integral part of ancient architectural heritage. The result of collaborative work initiated in 2019, this study offers an in-depth look at the physical, mechanical, and hygrothermal properties of this material.

Designed as a technical and practical tool, this guide offers:

a precise diagnosis of the rammed earth building, with identification criteria and performance characteristics;
renovation and maintenance solutions integrating sustainability and energy efficiency issues;
concrete feedback sheets, illustrating collective and individual housing rehabilitation projects.

For Marc Drouet, regional director of cultural affairs for Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes: "Recognition of the intrinsic qualities of clinker is accompanied by a necessary approach to preservation and adaptation. This study provides a pragmatic response to the technical challenges encountered during work on this type of building."

With this publication, the CAUE Rhône Métropole and Cerema are providing an essential reference tool for carrying out projects that respect rammed ash while meeting current requirements.

The study “Properly renovating clinker housing” is available online: CAUE69: Results

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