Rammed Earth Facade Technology
2022 - Research
In collaboration with Abel Aguilar and Maxwell Rodencal
Rammed earth, or dirt compressed within formworks, is an ancient technology receiving renewed attention for its sustainability, thermal benefits, and beauty. While most rammed earth buildings are constructed with walls up to 36" thick, this project conceived of a masonry unit which harnesses the benefits of rammed earth construction with minimal thickness as a rainscreen on a wood stud assembly. Notably, these bricks are not artificially stabilized, and are composed entirely of air-dried subsoil, a technique well accepted in building industries elsewhere but yet to gain traction in the United States.
With a design from the detail approach, a high performance (R40) double stud wall assembly was developed for climate zone 6, which could be quickly constructed while eliminating thermal barriers, reducing cost by avoiding large pieces of dimensional lumber and creating space for blown insulation. The assembly is air tight but entirely vapor permeable, preventing moisture from getting trapped in the wall cavity.
After sourcing site waste ourselves and testing soil composition and ramming strategies, we developed a chamfered 3” thick masonry unit which could be easily replicated in reusable plywood formworks, and patched once on the wall to create the illusion of a solid earthen mass.
The technology is shown here in process, in a finalized full-scale mockup, and in drawings for a small cabin which takes advantage of the construction system.
Material sourcing
Soil ratio test
Ramming process
Reusable formwork
Two year erosion simulation (before)
Two year erosion simulation (after)
Bricks curing
Double-stud wall assembly
Mortar and brick ties
Patching
Full-scale mockup
Reclaimed plywood interior
Full-scale mockup
Full-scale mockup
Full-scale mockup two year erosion simulation (before)
Full-scale mockup two year erosion simulation (after)
Weep detail