http://www.treehugger.com/files/2007/08/survey_does_des.php
http://www.treehugger.com/files/2007/08/cob_building_go.php
LEHM 2008 – Call for Papers
The Dachverband Lehm e.V. is the German Association for Building with Earth. Every four years the DVL organises an international conference and trade fair on building with earth in a different earth building region in Germany together with an excursion in the region. After the conferences in 1994, 1997, 2000 and 2004, the LEHM 2008 is the 5th such event organised by the Dachverband Lehm e.V. Each of these events has attracted several thousand visitors. In addition to organising a high-profile conference programme, a central aspect is the presentation of new innovations in earth building products and technologies through a trade fair that takes place parallel to the conference. For more information visit the conference website.
Inno-native Earthen Architecture
Joe Osae-Addo, a Ghanaian-born architect, living in Los Angeles was determined to build with the materials found primarily in rural areas of his native country: timber and mud brick. Because mud brick doesn’t exist in cities in Ghana, Addo had to build his own during the construction of his own home. He coined a phrase for his approach to contextual modern architecture: “inno-native.” Listen to an interview with Joe Osae-Addo where he talks about his inno-native approach.
The Palomares of Spain
In Spain, traditional palomares, or dove-cotes, constructed of mud brick or rammed earth dot the landscape. To see them, you can take La Ruta de los Palomares or any of several other routes. Some are falling into disrepair and others are being restored. Inside are fascinating spaces that house doves. More can be read about these fascinating structures here: [ 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 ].
See more images [ 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 ]
The Citizens’ Initiative Pavilion
The Citizens’ Initiative Pavilion, known as El Faro, is the work of architect Ricardo Higueras. Designed to be constructed for the Expo Zaragoza 2008 the pavilion is to represent society’s vigour and ability to innovate in the face of the challenges posed by water.
The section gives information on the Pavilion’s onsite location, its spaces and building features. Inspired by traditional ceramics, the pavillion will be constructed with natural materials like bamboo and mud mixed with straw.
Shibam
Shibam, Yemen, also known as ‘the manhattan of the desert’, is home to the world’s oldest surviving skyscrapers.
Mud: Building Block of the Future
At the vanguard of efforts to revolutionise the way we build our homes are scientists who are taking their cues from the methods of the past to make mud the building block of the future.
Benally House
Design Build BLUFF has completed another house. This time a compressed earth block house called the Benally House. Visit the project blog to learn about the entire construction process. [ previously ]
Historic Adobes of Los Angeles County
The book, Historic Adobes of Los Angeles County
Earth Architecture in Uruguay
Uruguayan architect Andrés Nogués documents the design and construction of a unique log/mud brick house, la Casa de Adobes en La Juanita (above), as well as providing thoughtful essays on the subject of earthen architecture and links to various earth related sites on his blog, Arquitectura de Tierra en Uruguay. [Spanish Language website]