The Low Down On Green Living
January 27th, 2008
Rammed Earth: Timeless Green Building
Stumble it!
Rammed earth may be one of the oldest building technologies on earth–and it happens to be an outstanding green building technique. The technique originated in dry climates where wood was often not plentiful. The resulting structures are incredibly beautiful, durable and environmentally sustainable. We’ll explain what rammed earth building is, why it is green, and show you some great examples of residential rammed earth architecture.
How Are They Made?
Rammed earth building, also known as pise de terre, involves using a damp mixture of dirt, clay sand, and gravel to create the structure of the building. Traditionally lime was often added to the mixture as a stabilizing element, but today cement is typically used. The builder creates a wooden form for the walls, and then adds the earth mixture into the frame. Typically the walls are 5 to 12 inches thick. The moist mixture is compressed– or “rammed”– into the frame by a tamper. After a load of material is rammed, then more of the damp mix is added and it is compressed again. This process is repeated until the wall reaches the appropriate height. The frames are then removed and the walls are left to dry or “cure.” The walls need to dry in warm weather for several days– but full curing can take up to two years. After the curing process is complete, the structure is as strong as if it were built of rock.
What Makes Rammed Earth Green?
Rammed Earth is considered a good green building technique for several reasons. First, the main ingredient–earth– is readily found close to the place where the building is to be constructed. Thus building the home does not require importing or transporting large amounts of building materials. Second, the use of earth for the structure means that very little wood is needed for the building, which is good as wood is a scarce resource. The forms used to build the structure are often made of wood, but these forms can be used again on another project. Third, rammed earth structures have great “thermal mass” which means that they keep indoor temperatures relatively stable; this reduces the need for excessive heating and/or cooling. Fourth, rammed earth structures are naturally fire-retardant. As an extra bonus, they are also bug-resistant. All told, rammed earth homes are built from natural, local materials and have excellent energy-efficiency properties, making them solid examples of green building. (And the striations of the layers of earth make them uniquely attractive as well.)
What Do They Look Like? Who Builds Them?
There are several firms that specialize in rammed-earth design and building. Not surprisingly many of them are located in the Southwestern United States, where adobe building has been used for thousands of years.
Soledad Canyon Earth Builders is based in Las Cruces, New Mexico. They design custom rammed earth and adobe homes for their clients (they also do traditional frame/stucco designs). The homes they design have a distinctly Southwestern flair and they are gorgeous. They also factor in passive solar and natural breeze capture into their designs. Be sure to check out their photo gallery.
Rammed Earth Solar Homes, based in Oracle, Arizona, also has a stunning portfolio of residences. They build rammed earth homes, offices, and gardens. They lead builder, Quentin Branch, is available to consult with architects on projects as well. They also teach “Rammit Yourself” courses is you’re interested in building your own structure.
If you happen to be in or near Canada, Terra Firma Builders builds spectacular rammed earth homes up North. They employ a more modern aesthetic– and to beautiful effect. They are also winners of Western Living Magazine’s Residential Design Awards overall prize for Best Environmental Design in the small, medium and large home categories.
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Comments
janice britos
January 29th, 2008 at 11:23 am
who would I contact in Virginia
Sam
January 29th, 2008 at 11:22 pm
Would rammed earth structures work in climates where there’s a lot of rain? Even monsoons — i.e. S.E. Asia?
Erica
February 1st, 2008 at 9:10 am
Does anyone know a rough cost comparision between rammed earth built homes and the typical stick framed home?
Isaac Horton
March 1st, 2008 at 11:40 am
Earth Architecture is a business focused on earth construction techniques and specifically rammed earth. There is also an informative website with many tips for the DIY people.
http://earth-architecture.com
Rebecca
March 5th, 2008 at 7:51 pm
In response to Sam -
“Would rammed earth structures work in climates where there’s a lot of rain? Even monsoons — i.e. S.E. Asia?”
I don’t know for sure but I imagine they would work fine because I have heard that these structures are used in southern Arizona - where we get a lot of monsoons in the late summer.
Ruby
May 14th, 2008 at 8:24 am
hi we are looking into the construction of rammed earth.. we dont really know much, but was wandering about the diadvantages..
Clifton
May 18th, 2008 at 5:47 pm
I need to repost this i forgot to add the link, sorry.
We are designers and builders of Rammed Earth across Canada. Come see some beautiful insulated rammed earth pictures and also 3-Models of concepts.
http://www.rammedearth.info
Darrel
June 8th, 2008 at 2:11 pm
In response to Ruby, I am currently building a Rammed Earth Home in Albuquerque. The disadvantages as I see it are the time it takes to build the walls, the availability of a Rammed Earth Wall contractor and the cost. However, one look at a wall and you forget all of that. Here is a website for a contractor/consultant. http://www.hustonrammedearth.com/
Lauren
August 5th, 2008 at 8:39 am
If you live in Arizona, you should check out http://www.beyondadobe.com Beyond Adobe is an adobe brick supplier who also specializes in custom, small adobe homes. There is a price list on their website.
Carlos Ortiz
August 20th, 2008 at 9:41 pm
I am cuurently assistant foreman on a huge rammed earth project in Taos, New Mexico. This house consists of the first ever barrel vaulted cielings constructed of rammed earth. There is over 100′ of barrel vaulted cieling in this home.the hallway alone is 75′of continuous rammed earth barrel vaulted cieling 12′ wide and 14′ tall.Come see the work we do, our work speaks for itself.The builder I work for is Wolf Corp Custom Builders out of Santa Fe, New Mexico.
Darrel
September 14th, 2008 at 10:58 am
Carlos, is Wolf Corp doing their own rammed earth or do they sub it out? I have seen a couple of barrel vaulted cielings constructed out of rammed earth and they look great.
» Exploring cob
September 25th, 2008 at 5:59 am
[...] rammed earth be easier? Sure soil preparation is less fastidious and no machinery is required as with earth [...]
Stan Scholl, Structural/Civil Engineer
November 16th, 2008 at 9:42 pm
I am interested in knowing who is doing rammed earth in CA and using earth from the site and adding granular material where needed (probably most places. I am planning a project in Los Angeles and will be using approx. 5% cement in the miix.
I have previously done a straw bale house
Kelley Romoser
August 19th, 2009 at 7:12 am
I’m looking for rammed earth buildings in the Taos, Santa Fe, or Albuquerque areas to visit while on vacation in a couple of weeks. I’m a student from Ohio and am doing my thesis research on rammed earth and would love to have the opportunity to visit some rammed earth buidings while on vacation. Please let me know if you know of any! Thanks!
Ken Christison
August 27th, 2009 at 10:28 pm
I am a builder in the San Juan Islands in the Puget Sound of Washington State. I build primarily insulated Rammed Earth walls in this region and other heating and cooling climates. We can build solid rammed earth walls in other temperate areas. This building method requires a high level of technical training, is very green, structurally sound, the resulting structures are energy conservative and are extremely beautiful. I will discuss any serious projects readily.
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