Throughout the 90s, there was also experimentation with the use of wood chips instead of straw. Builders found that the drying time, shrinkage behaviour and labourintensity was reduced when using wood chips. The chips could be dry or green, and could range from sawdust to chunks up to 2 in. (50 mm) in diameter. Like most of the other forms of earth building, light-clay is very environmentally benign. It is low-embodied energy, completely recyclable/compostable, and is insulating. It is super low-cost and requires few special skills. If it has any major drawback, it is the long drying timeapproximately 12 weeks for a 12-inch (300 mm) wall during the warm season. Light clay is a building form that seems to have unlimited potential, especially in temperate to cold climates where insulation is necessary. Innovators are working on different methods, tools and products that have applications for self-help building and for commercial-professional construction (Gaia Architects, 2003).