Architecture, Art, Design, and Culture using of mud, clay, soil, dirt & dust.
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. uni-terra is an initiative by the Dachverband Lehm e.V.
Il Centro di Documentazione sulle Case di Terra del Comune di Casalincontrada with the l’Associazione Terrae Onlus and the Fotoclub Chieti promotes the 6th International Photo Competition of Works of Earthen Architecture.
A Natural House – Building with Clay Skill Building Workshop in Poland with Architect Wojciech Brzeski will take place on 3rd June and 9th June 2007. During the five-day workshop, one will learn the techniques of sustainable clay building. Mr Brzeski has been building houses with clay for over 25 years and as the need for sustainable and environmentally friendly methods of building becomes more and more important this is an invaluable opportunity to work with an experienced architect to learn the techniques of this traditional craft. The anticipated costs including flight, accommodation and workshops are £570. For more information email: thenaturalhouse@gmail.com
A UA / Universidade de Aveiro, a ESG / Escola Superior Gallaecia, a FCO / Fundação Convento da Orada e a Cdt / Associação Centro da Terra são os organizadores e anfitriões do 5º Seminário de Arquitectura de Terra em Portugal (V ATP), que se realizará de 10 a 13 de Outubro 2007, na Universidade de Aveiro, em Portugal. Criado em 2003, o seminário Arquitectura de Terra em Portugal tem evoluído de uma forma crescente com a ampla adesão de profissionais ibero-americanos e europeus.
The Fifth Annual Conference of Earthen Architecture in Portugal will take place October 10-13, 2007 at the University de Aveiro in Portugal. For more information, download the conference brief (Portugues Language).
Completed in 1981, Maisons en Terre by architects Francoise Jourda and Gilles Perraudin was one of many projects for earth housing built in the earth village of the Isle of Abeau.
The Pines Calyx conference and training centre, an environmentally-friendly building made of chalk extracted from the White Cliffs, at St Margaret’s Bay in Kent, is said to be one of Europe’s “most sustainable and healthy” structures. [ photo set | press ]
Via google video, videographer Paul Jaquin has ammassed a collection of videos of rammed earth in spain. Read synopsis and watch the videos by clicking below:
Rammed earth at Lorca castle, a tour of the outside of the building, and a view across the valley.
Rammed earth wall at Palma del Rio in southern Spain. Constructed around 1171, and probably 6m high.
Conclusive proof that some rammed earth is absolutely fine in the rain. Here a castle at Alcala de Guadaira is observed in the middle of a rainstrorm with no detrimental effect to the fabric of the wall.
A video tour of Banos de la Encina castle, built in 967 from rammed earth.
Rammed earth wall at Novelda in southern Spain. This is a view inside a hole in the wall, proving that rammed earth can provide some arching or tensile action. Novelda castle was built around 1171 duringthe Almohad dynasty in Spain.
A tour of the inside of Villena castle in southern Spain. Constructed in rammed earth in 1172, it is a very well preserved rammed earth castle.
Rammed earth wall in Cordoba.
The new book, Building With Earth: Design & Technology, by Prof. Dr. Gernot Minke offers a comprehensive overview of the many uses of and techniques for processing clay. Drawings and photographs of twenty structures offer specific and inspiring examples of clay architecture from around the world.
Commissioned by the Centre for Alternative Technology (CAT), structural engineer Toby Hodsdon of Buro Happold will build a 200-seat auditorium with rammed earth walls 7.2m high – the highest in the UK.