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Rammed earth construction is a step forward into a sustainable future, when homes will combine pleasing aesthetics and intense practicality with a powerful sense of place. Rammed earth homes are built entirely on-site, using basic elements—earth, water, and a little cement. The solid masonry walls permit design flexibility while providing year-round comfort and minimal use of energy. The builder and resident of a rammed earth house will experience the deep satisfaction of creating permanence in a world dominated by the disposable.
| Preface | ||
| Introduction | ||
| Ch. 1 | The Evolution of Earthbuilding | 3 |
| Ch. 2 | The Point of Beginning | 25 |
| Ch. 3 | The Architectural Plan | 45 |
| Ch. 4 | In Preparation for Building | 67 |
| Ch. 5 | Foundations | 77 |
| Ch. 6 | The Essential Soil | 87 |
| Ch. 7 | The Art of Formbuilding | 105 |
| Ch. 8 | Soil Preparation and Compaction | 133 |
| Ch. 9 | Doors, Windows, Niches, and Nooks | 153 |
| Ch. 10 | Bond Beams and Other Connections | 173 |
| Ch. 11 | After the Wall | 191 |
| Ch. 12 | The House in the Garden | 205 |
| Builders' Resources: A. A Photographic Step-by-Step | 224 | |
| Builders' Resources: B. A Sample Home Design Program | 233 | |
| Builders' Resources: C. How to Identify Soils | 238 | |
| Builders' Resources: D. Restoring the Chew Kee Store | 248 | |
| Builders' Resources: E. Structural Engineering Design | 252 | |
| Bibliography | 264 | |
| Index | 266 |
Overview
The Rammed Earth House is an eye-opening example of how the most dramatic innovations in home design and construction frequently have their origins in the distant past. By rediscovering the most ancient of all building materials —earth—forward-thinking homebuilders can now create structures that set new standards for beauty, durability, and efficient use of natural resources.
Rammed earth construction is a step forward into a sustainable future, when homes will combine pleasing...