In this issue we discover how French researchers are examining the rates of erosion, and the effect of a clay mineral coating, on Strasbourg Cathedral’s sandstone, while in Greece, scientists are developing low-cost building bricks that could absorb electromagnetic radiation.

Features look into the success of unfired clay building materials for sustainable building construction and the manufacturing process behind creating elegant handmade tiles.

We also interview Royal College of Art graduate Takato Sasaki, who hopes to turn clay into a more expressive material.