earthconstructed

Earthconstructed refers to structures whose primary construction material is earth, including clay, silt, sand, and organic matter. The term covers a range of earthen building methods in which earth is shaped, mixed, or compacted to form walls and interiors, sometimes with stabilizers or binders. Common techniques include adobe bricks, rammed earth (pisé), cob, earthbags, and compressed earth blocks, as well as traditional plastering with lime or clay.

Earth construction is among the oldest building traditions and has been used worldwide. Adobe bricks and cob walls appear in many arid and semi-arid regions, rammed earth has a long history in parts of Europe, Africa, and Asia, and earthen plaster has long protected surfaces in homes and granaries. The approach is valued for low embodied energy, thermal mass, and the use of locally available materials, contributing to breathable interiors and lower long-term operating costs.

Modern interest in earthconstructed methods has grown as part of sustainable architecture. Advances include the use of stabilizers such as lime or cement to increase durability, improved moisture management, and engineered earth mixes and reinforcement for structural performance. Limitations include moisture sensitivity, labor requirements, and varying building codes and insurance considerations, factors that can influence feasibility in contemporary construction.

Notable examples and related practices include adobe pueblos in the Americas, the Great Mosque of Djenné in Mali, and rammed-earth or cob wall systems found across multiple regions. See also sustainable architecture and vernacular architecture.