Architecture, Art, Design, and Culture using of mud, clay, soil, dirt & dust.
The Musgum, an ethnic group in far north province in Cameroon, create their tall conical dwellings from compressed sun-dried mud. Called Cases Obos, the profile of the structure is that of a catenary arch— the ideal mathematical form to bear a maximum weight ?with minimal material.
The relief pattern on the surface is a built-in scaffolding that can support the body to allow for maintenance of the structure by the re-application of mud to the surface.
research.terra is a multi-language website intended to serve as a tool for the community of both researchers and others interested in the subject of earth construction. It will allow one to follow the research work that has been, or is being carried out, all over the world. The main goal is to create a database that will be updated regularly, containing some basic information regarding the research, such as the title and the direct link for the work (if available online).
The Mud Tub, by Tom Gerhardt, is an experimental organic interface that allows people to control a computer while playing in the mud. By sloshing, squishing, pulling, punching, etc, in a tub of mud (yes, wet dirt), users control games, simulators, and expressive tools; interacting with a computer in a new, completely organic, way. Born out of a motivation to close the gap between our bodies and the digital world, the Mud Tub frees the traditional computer interaction model of it’s rigidity, allowing humans to use their highly developed sense of touch, and creative thinking skills in a more natural way.
Could building architecture with mud coincide control 3D printers producing earth buildings while being powered by the mud itself?
Here, Matt Parker’s Lumarca and Tom Gerhardt’s Mud Tub join forces to make some cool interactions happen.
The conflict over water and land in Sudan has created political unrest for decades. However, in 2007, scientists from Boston University discovered and underground lake in the region of Darfur, Sudan. This lake is tenth biggest lake in the world (31, 000 m2) and would have great potential in resolving the conflict if managed correctly. Addressing this water issue, Polish architect Hugon Kowalski from H3AR Architect and Design recently proposed a building that allows access to underground waters through the application of water pumps. The form of the building was inspired by a water tower and also by the symbol of the African savanna—the baobab. The building houses water pumps, a treatment plant but also a hospital, a school and a food storage center. This building is meant to provoke economical development but also stimulate cultural exchange and the coexistence of the three different religions and languages in Sudan.
The building walls are constructed using compressed dry stacked clay bricks, made on site using a rough mixture of earth, cement and water. The bricks would be baked in the hot sun, thus, requiring no extra energy and limiting the environmental impact of the materials. The choice of using this technology represents the desire to introduce alternative and sustainable technologies within a context that is tied to standardized though not always optimal building practice.
Two water circulation processes would be in place. First set of extracted water is meant to heat or cool the building, and is accessible to the users. Second, set of extracted water is used for the building itself (i.e. kitchen, toilets).
More at designboom.com
The third annual Brazilian Congress on Architecture and Earth Building, also known as TerraBrasil 2010, will take place in the city of Campo Grande, in the state of Mato Grosso do Sul (MS), Brazil from August 31st to the September 3rd, 2010. The Congress is being organized by the Structural and Civil Engineering Department (DEC/CCET) of the Federal University of Mato Grosso do Sul, in partnership with the TerraBrasil Network (Rede TerraBrasil).
ABSTRACTS
Abstracts are being accepted and should be emailed to terrabrasil.art@gmail.com , up until March 10th, 2010, according to the abstract format available for download at www.terrabrasil2010.wordpress.com
THEMES
Scientific papers will be accept in any branch of knowledge linked with the theme “Architecture and Construction with Earth”, and will be classified under the following areas:
1. Building Materials and Techniques
Contributions and improvements to the state of art, materials` specification, new techniques development, equipments, standardization for codes and performance – structural, durability, suitability,and comfort.
2. History, Conservation, and Heritage
Reviews, discussion, and contributions on conservation theories, revival techniques, rehabilitations, and new materials` adaptations to the codes.
3. Contemporary Architecture
Discussions on new challenge — productivity, building details, costs, materials` interface, adaptations, and appropriateness.
4. Education, Formation, and Qualification
Discussions and contributions on the practices, experiences and models of technology transference, databases, and curriculum.
5. Sustainability
Holistic approach of sustainability and its multiple dimensions — environmental, social, cultural, economic, and political. Discussions and constributions on the life-cycle analysis, including social and economic, empowerment, community cooperation, and Chagas` disease.
The Decembery/January issue of the French language magazine, ecologik, is devoted to the subject of Architecture en Terre.
SOMMAIRE #12 – décembre 2009/janvier 2010
ACTUALITÉ: réalisations – concours – expositions – les forêts, un marché de dupes ? – lumière : perspectives urbaines – livre, de la lutte des classes à la lutte des places
SOCIÉTÉ: la ville durable et connectée
URBANISME ET PAYSAGE: métamorphose d’une autoroute
PROCESSUS ET TECHNIQUES: les nouveaux dilemmes du patrimoine
DOSSIER EN TERRE: sur les traces d’un patrimoine mondial – manifeste pour le droit de construire en terre crue – le CRAterre, l’expérience made in France – retour d’expérience sur le Domaine de la Terre – la physique des grains – terre contemporaine : hôtel Amankora au Bouthan, maison d’habitation en pisé en Colombie, workshop structures en terre au Bangladesh, architecture d’intérieur à Paris, centre culturel du désert Nk’mip au Canada, maison Palmer-Rose aux Etats-Unis, maison Rauch en Autriche, école de Maosi en Chine, école des Arts au Mexique
INNOVATIONS: eaux de pluie, eaux usées : collecter, assainir et valoriser
BÂTIR SAIN: l’air est-il plus respirable dans un bâtiment LEED ou HQE?
SUISSE: passif en plein massif
PROSPECTIVE: accessibilité : et si on osait le pragmatisme ?
The undulating Banasura Hills in Wayanad stand as sentinels to the biggest earth dam in India, the Banasura Sagar dam. Just a few kilometres away, in rugged hilly terrain, stands the Banasura Hill Resort, said to be the biggest earth resort in the country. The rammed earth walls of the resort is built with mud from the very site that it stands on. Earth scooped out from the hill slope to create a plain was used to build the resort. Local tribals were called in for the labour and their expertise in building with mud was also tapped.
The Royal Institute of British Architecture is hosting a series of earth architecture related lectures in their series: The Art of Mud Building: Heritage and Sustainability. Here is the lineup:
Down to Earth, Paul Oliver
Talk Tuesday 2 March, 18.30
RIBA
Join Paul Oliver, acclaimed academic and Emeritus Professor at the International Vernacular Architecture Unit, Oxford Brookes University, for a stimulating talk about the future of vernacular building traditions and their role in creating sustainable, culturally vibrant, people orientated places to live.
Part of the International Dialogues talks programme.
Tickets: £8.50/£5.50
The Future of Mud: Tales of Houses and Lives in Djenné
Film Monday 8 March, 19.00
SOAS, Russell Square, London WC1H
A documentary film that explores the challenges and choices faced by a mason’s family, raising vital questions about heritage and changing traditions. French and Bamana with English subtitles.
Restoring Mud Mosques in Mopti, Djenné and Timbuktu
Talk Thursday 11 March, 20.30
The Ismaili Centre, Cromwell Road, London SW7
Join Christophe Bouleau from the Aga Khan Trust for Culture as he talks about the restoration of the extraordinary mud mosques of Mali.
Restoring the Splendour of Djenné
Talk Thursday 18 March, 19.00
SOAS, Russell Square, London WC1H
Join Rogier Bedaux and Annette Schmidt, Volkenkunde Museum and the architect Pierre Maas, to discuss the cooperative venture between Mali and the Netherlands.
Behind the Façade in Djenné
Talk Thursday 25 March, 19.00
SOAS, Russell Square, London WC1H
Join Michael Rowlands, UCL and Charlotte Joy, Cambridge as they discuss how to create local value for cultural heritage through sustainable architectural tradition.
Economic and Environmental Sustainability
Talk Thursday 29 April, 19.00
SOAS, Russell Square, London WC1H
Join Rowland Keable, Ram Cast CIC, for an expert presentation on structures, standards and models for earth building in the 21st century.
A Standard Guide for Design of Earthen Wall Building Systems, ASTM E2392 – 05, has been announced and can be purchased by clicking here.
1. Scope
1.1 This standard provides guidance for earthen building systems that address both technical requirements and considerations for sustainable development. Earthen building systems include adobe, rammed earth, cob, cast earth and other earth technologies used as structural and non-structural wall systems.
1.1.1 There are many decisions in the design and construction of a building that can contribute to the maintenance of ecosystem components and functions for future generations, that is, sustainability. One such decision is the selection of products for use in the building. This standard addresses sustainability issues related to the use of earthen wall building systems.
1.1.2 The considerations for sustainable development relative to earthen wall building systems are categorized as follows: materials (product feedstock); manufacturing process; operational performance (product installed); and indoor environmental quality (IEQ).
1.1.3 The technical requirements for earthen building systems are categorized as follows: design criteria, structural and non-structural systems, and structural and non-structural components.
1.2 This standard does not provide guidance for structural support of roofs made of earthen material.
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and to determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
The Villa Jasmin was designed by Moroccan architect Elie Mouyal and ADAMA Building & Architecture Ltd. The walls are constructed of load bearing rammed earth with fired vaulted adobe brickwork ceilings.The house is named after the mediterranean flower, and represents a neo-traditional style of architecture that reflects influences from the bizanthine, nubian, greco-roman and moorish styles.
The house is build around a patio that has a south aperture. The patio is the center of the house and the center of the patio has a flat fountain that is an allusion to water source of life. Walls are contructed of stabilized rammed earth in compliance with australian standard that reach high strength of near 2200 psi with 5 % of cement content.
The ceilings employ the nubian technique for laying bricks without need of forms that reduce timber use to minimum. Bricks are layed with mortar in circular or curved patterns each row laying on the previous with continuous care on stability, transfering thrust to the walls. The pointed arched vaults employ a corbelled coursing of the bricks, alleviating the use of scafoling.