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Introduction
Introduction
Lifespan: Can last for 1,000+ years. Some parts of the Great Wall of China and other famous buildings have been made from rammed earth.
Pro: Thermal regulation is better than that of concrete or other modern building designs, meaning little to no heating or cooling is required. They are also more sound proof thanks to the thick walls.
These can be ideally built to 2 or 3 floors high, but this will affect the width of the walls. The buildings can still be build to these heights without the use of rebar or cement, which are two of the most CO2 intensive building materials.
Rammed earth buildings don't need to be painted or maintained like other types of buildings.
Con: Water can pose a danger to the structure of these buildings.
Solutions: A layer can be applies to the outside of the building, to prevent water from infiltrating and damaging the walls.
Materials: Soil plus the equipment needed to compact the earth.
Dimensions
Dimensions
Rammed earth walls can be build 2-3 Stories tall, and 6-24 inches wide.
A one story home can have 6 inches of rammed earth, expanded to 8 inches with plaster and/or other layers.
Taller walls need to be built wider to support the height.
Problems & Concerns
Problems & Concerns
Cost
Cost
Depending on your location, cost of labor and cost of local materials, this can be a more expensive choice than others, but the overall energy costs should more than compensate for this over the years.
Permits
Permits
These can add to the cost of building, but they can also be hard to acquire for building types which aren't typical for an area.
Salt Attack
Salt Attack
Salt attack is a natural process driven by salt, moisture, and aridity. It degrades materials including rock and concrete, making structures expensive to maintain, or even cause them to collapse.
He Builds Affordable Homes in Ghana Using Rammed Earth | Real Estate in Ghana | Sustainable Homes
39 minute video talking about the benefits and challanges of building with rammed earth.
Water
Water
Water can cause problems in any type of building, but for rammed earth buildings, it can cause ugly blemishes during the building phase, which will remain throughout the lifespan of the affected wall. Improperly built and unprotected walls may also suffer deterioration from heavy rains.
This is why a protective water-proof coating is recommended. Appropriate roofing will also help to protect the walls.
Rain During Construction
Rain During Construction
A cover can help protect the structure during building, but strong winds may still get the moisture into the wall and cause problems. This is why it is best to build during dry weather.
In regions with rainy seasons, it will be best to wait until the dry season to construct.
Pipes in Walls
Pipes in Walls
These shouldn't been included in wall joints, to avoid structural problems.
Guides & Resources
Guides & Resources
uni-terra "is a networking platform for the global exchange of information, experience and know-how in earth architecture and building with earth at an academic level.
Its aim is to promote knowledge transfer between academics and practitioners alike, to support the development of expertise in the field and to ensure its long-term sustainability for future generations."
Salt Attack
Salt Attack
Mesilla Valley Preservation's video series about the natural process of salt attack, and its impact on adobe and earthen structures (links to YouTube):
North America
North America
USA
USA
New Mexico
Builders
Builders
This section lists the companies we were able to find who offer rammed earth building. Being listed here is not a guarantee of their work record or competence. Always make sure to do your own research before committing to a specific company.
Africa
Africa
Ghana
Ghana
Kasa Konsultants "we believe in the power of nature to create eco-friendly, sustainable, durable, and aesthetically pleasing structures. At KANEA KASA KONSULTANTS LTD, we have a clear mission: to revolutionize the way we build by harnessing the age-old technique of rammed earth construction. Our commitment is not just to construct buildings; it's to build a sustainable future.
With a vision deeply rooted in environmental responsibility and a passion for innovation, we are dedicated to transforming the construction industry. Our goal is to provide eco-conscious individuals, businesses, and communities with the means to build not just for today, but for generations to come.
As we embark on this journey together, we invite you to explore the world of rammed earth construction and join us in making a positive impact on our planet. Let's build a greener, more resilient future— one rammed earth structure at a time."
Education & Training Opportunities
Education & Training Opportunities
Africa
Africa
Ghana
Ghana
Short Term Apprenticeship Rammed-earth Training (S.T.A.R.T.) "program is a special program being organized by Kasa Konsultants involving the training and raising of competent labor force that will be experience and knowledgeable enough to do Rammed-Earth Projects of various dimensions. Rammed Earth construction as a very specialized field of construction requires skilled, experience and knowledgeable personnel to do projects properly. The field provides a lot of economic and opportunities as well as possible solutions in the area of housing and real estates. In the past few months, we have had several practical workshop program lasting 5 - 7 days with participants attending from within Ghana and beyond. The S.T.A.R.T. is a more extended and intensive program that will hold for 2-3 months on either a full time or part time basis."
Asia
Asia
India
India
Auroville Earth Institute "has educated and empowered people to build their own dwellings using earthen techniques. Founded in 31st August 1989 by the Housing and Urban Development Corporation (HUDCO), Government of India, AVEI has, till date, won 15 awards: 4 international and 11 national. Since then AVEI has worked in 40 countries across the globe.
Here we aim to provide you with a glimpse of the many techniques of earthen construction. We have also showcased our work with Compressed Stabilized Earth Block (CSEB) through snippets, images, and videos. Want to know more? Follow our activities and sign up for training courses."
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