Home-Sustainable Building - Rammed Earth

Rammed Earth

Earthen methods of construction has been around for thousands of years. And it is the prevalent material in indigenous societies and much of the developing world. There has been a renaissance along with improved methods of applying these time-tested methods of construction. Many examples are rammed earth or cast earth, which is a mixture of the right clay; sand and aggregate content rammed into forms or poured like slurry into pre, set forms. Straw clay walls are common throughout European timber frame structures of which many are hundreds and hundreds of years old. We have done many of these walls in interior areas and partition walls for mass, sound proofing, and insulation but believe straw bale exterior walls provide the most insulation. Cob construction is a different mix of earth; clay and straw content and was used to build the beautiful reading nook you see in the picture. Another use of earth is in traditional earthen plaster and stuccos. These usually require more labor therefore cost more to apply than cement or gypsum products and can require more maintenance but are extremely beautiful if applied properly. Contact us and we can discuss how these materials may fit with your project.