Categories: Uncategorized

Building with Earth- A simple underrated construction method

Building with Earth- A simple underrated construction method

Facebook
Twitter
Pinterest
LinkedIn
TheNitoProject - Walls of Earth

Okay so hear is out, mud is a construction material…and a pretty good one. For many generations building with earth was the only option available but with our current technology this construction method has stepped out of the spotlight…but it’s slowly coming back.

TheNitoProject  is one of those revolutionaries that works with all sort of materials that, you guessed it, come from the Earth! Going back to our routes and rediscovering the ancient techniques will allow us to use the best of both worlds in the construction that we use in our architecture today. 

Exploring various techniques with different mixtures, applications, and finishes, Benito  has created one of the most influential and helpful Youtube channels that allow one to learn from a master specialist and apply that knowledge step by step. 

The benefits of building with Earth varies from all sort of factors, such as climate, location and quality of soil. Testing this sort of construction and combining it with more popular construction methods such as wood & steel frame could reinvent the way we think of Earthen buildings, taking a step further to sustainable construction while reforming our old ways.

Construction Types

Rammed Earth: Mixture
  • 1 part clay
  • 1 part sand
  • ¼ part water

Uses: rammed earth, earthen-floor subfloor, earth-bag fill, earthship tire fill

Cob: Mixture
  • 1 part clay
  • 1 part sand
  • ½ part straw
  • ½ part water

Uses: Cob wall construction

Adobe Brick: Mixture
  • 1 part clay
  • 1 part sand
  • ½ part straw
  • ¾ part water

Uses: adobe, plaster, mortar, earthen-floor finish layer

Wattle and Daub: Mixture
  • 2 part clay
  • 1 part sand
  • 1½ part straw
  • 1 part water

Uses: wattle & daub, base-coat plaster

Straw-Clay Block: Mixture
  • 2 part clay
  • 1 part sand
  • 2½ part straw
  • 1¼ part water

Uses: straw-clay block, base-coat plaster

Light Straw-Clay: Mixture
  • 2 part clay
  • 1 part sand
  • 3½ part straw
  • 1½ part water

Uses: straw-clay infill, lighter straw-clay blocks

Facebook
Twitter
Pinterest
LinkedIn
Learn something new everyday
Get the daily email that makes learning actually enjoyable. Stay informed and entertained, for free.

Related Posts

Save
ClosePlease login

No account yet? Register

Zak

Share
Published by
Zak

Recent Posts

Glass Bottle Construction- Bringing a new light in sustainable design

Whether you enjoy drinking or just have a thing for pretty colours, your wine and…

4 years ago

Sustainable Fabrics – New Textile Alternative Using Seawater Plants

Our world is changing and so should our practices. Freshwater, a commodity that seems so…

4 years ago

Material Innovation- A new sustainable alternative made out of Oysters!

Yes you haven’t misread the title, believe it or not oysters are the new trend…

4 years ago