The University of Durham School of Engineering is examining investigative techniques and the structural behavior of Rammed Earth. They aim to combine knowlege of Structural Mechanics with numerical and Computer modelling, with work on soil mechanics, to help preserve Earthen Architecture.
Living in Earthen Cities – kerpic’05 Cities Conference
The “Living in Earthen Cities – kerpic’05” congress is to be held at Istanbul Technical University , July 6-7 in Istanbul, Turkey. The focus of the congresses has evolved from quality of life in earthen architecture, environmental and health care, towards disaster prevention. The congress organizers hope that it will bring together the related disciplines of architects and engineers, on material, construction, marketing and environmental science, to create database, technology watch and strategy. The workshop will cover the entire construction activities of alker (gypsum stabilized earthen material), where all the participants can take part. Social and cultural program will offer interesting historical tour; distinguished dinner will welcome you on Bosphorus. Visit the Congress Website
Adobe Alliance Workshop
The Adobe Alliance is pleased to announce the 7th annual workshop in Presidio, TX. Vault building and earth plastering will be featured during the workshop which takes place February 18-20, 2005. Demonstrations on applying a water-resistant exterior plaster of clay, straw, cactus juice and horse manure which breathes with the environment, which has withstood superbly in the unseasonally heavy rains of summer 2004 in the Big Bend.
Lodgings are easily booked at The Riata (432 229 2528) in Presidio, the Three Palms (432 229 3211,) or you can explore across the bridge a few minutes into Ojinaga, Mexico, a city of 25,000 people. The Paisano Hotel in Marfa is 60 miles to the north. There are many restaurants on both sides of the river.
For more information contact the Adobe Alliance.
Rammed earth constructions: Trans-cultural research in the Sonoran Desert
A case study illustrating a series of university/community collaborations leading from research idea, to full-scale improvisation in a Design/Build Studio at the University of Arizona (UA) School of Architecture (SoA), to a significant application in the Gila River Pima community of southern Arizona.
Modern Earth Building 2005
The MODERN EARTH BUILDING 2005 – International conference and fair will be held on the 18th to 20th of November 2005 in Berlin. Again visitors learn about new developments in earthen architecture. The business field of earth building products is increasing in the last years and new technological developments can be presented. The aim of the conference is to enhance the earthen architecture and culture.
Contact and information:
Umbra GmbH
Peter Steingass
Rigaer Stra?e 29 A, 10247 Berlin
Telefon: ++49-30 / 61 62 55 48
Telefax: ++49-30 / 61 62 55 49
info@lehmbauforum.com
www.lehmbauforum.com
Bam: One Year Later
Some 26,000 lives were lost in the earthquake of 26 December last year, which levelled most recent housing, leaving about 80,000 people homeless, and damaged the ancient Bam Citadel. More:
UN, Iran mark first anniversary of earthquake that devastated Bam cultural area
Bam Before and After from Columbia University [username: ahar and password: 826sch to access site]
Australian Adobe Under Threat
Mudbrick houses, the traditional domain of conservationists and alternative-lifestyle devotees, are under threat from the Australian State Government’s five-star energy standard – which, ironically, was introduced to improve the environmental performance of homes.
Conference on Rammed Earth Construction
To coincide with launch of the new publication Rammed earth: design &
construction guidelines, a one-day conference on rammed earth construction
is to be held on Wednesday 9th February 2005 in the Department of Architecture & Civil Engineering at the University of Bath.
The conference will examine historic and modern use of rammed earth in the
UK and Europe, practical issues of construction applications, material
testing and selection, formwork and construction, engineering design,
architectural design and detailing, maintenance and repair of walls. The
workshop is open to architects, engineers, designers, building surveyors,
construction companies, property developers, researchers and interested
individuals.
Issues for discussion will include thermal performance, durability, material
strength, cement stabilisation, building control, quality testing and wall
finishes. Case studies from recent rammed earth projects in the UK and
Europe will be presented. Findings from recent research work will also be
outlined. The workshop will also include an exhibition and practical
demonstration of rammed earth construction.
Rammed earth: design & construction guidelines is the result of a DTi
sponsored research and innovation programme investigating the potential of
rammed earth for new construction.
Conference speakers include:
Martin Rauch, Baukunst GmbH
Lars Allan Palmgren, Architect
Rowland Keable, Insitu Rammed Earth Co. Ltd
Pat Borer, Architect
Gordon Pearson
Tom Morton, ARC Architects
Andy Simmonds, Simmonds-Mills Architect Builders
Mark Lovell, Mark Lovell Design Engineers
Jonathan Hines, Architype
Mark Swenarton, Architecture Today
Peter Trotman, BRE
Paul Ellis, Ecology Building Society
Joe Martin, JM Architects
Steve Goodhew, University of Plymouth
Peter Walker, University of Bath
To reserve a place please: email P.Walker@bath.ac.uk, telephone 01225
386646, or fax 01225 386691. Alternatively send your name and contact
details to Peter Walker, Department of Architecture & Civil Engineering,
University of Bath, Claverton Down, Bath, BA2 7AY, UK. Download the conference brief in .pdf format.
Preliminary programme:
Registration 8.30 AM
Opening presentations (Introduction; Historical bakcground; Applications;
Materials): 9.00-10.45 AM
Coffee break: 10.45-11.15 AM
Presentations (Construction; Design; Maintenance & Repair): 11.15 AM – 12.45
PM
Lunch: 12.45-2.00 PM
Presentations (Case studies I): 2.00-3.20 PM
Coffee break: 3.20-3.45 PM
Closing presentations (Case studies II; Research work) and discussion:
3.45-5.00 PM
Full day registration fee: £105.00
Concessionary registration fee: £80.00 (AECB members; full-time students)
Morning or afternoon half-day fee (without lunch): £65.00 (£50.00 conc.)
Registration includes a copy of the Rammed earth: design & construction
guidelines.
Australia Earth Building Resources
Below are several links to Earth Building Resources in Australia:
The Earth Building Association of Australia
The History and Conservation of Pisé Buildings in the Australian Capital Territory
Make it Mudbricks, the Mudbrick Specialists
SismoAdobe2005
The Department of Engineering of the Catholic University of Peru (PUCP) is organizing an International Seminar of Architecture, Construction and Conservation of Earthen Buildings in Seismic Areas. The seminar is sponsored by Proterra (a Research Project of CYTED), the Earthquake Engineering Research Institute (EERI), and the Getty Conservation Institute (GCI).
This event will take place on the PUCP campus, from 16-19 May 2005. It will include keynote conferences from international experts, oral and poster presentations, and technical demonstrations at the Structures Laboratory of the PUCP, where full-scale seismic simulation tests of adobe dwellings will be performed.
You are welcome to visit the website of SismoAdobe2005 at www.pucp.edu.pe/eventos/SismoAdobe2005 for more information.