Contemporary Rammed Earth House for an Orchard Setting

This design concept for a sustainable rammed earth house sits within an orchard in the Cotswolds AONB and is intended to be accessible, have a low carbon footprint, be energy efficient, and provide a healthy indoor environment with high levels of natural light and natural ventilation. Rammed earth, or pisé, is an ancient building method used throughout the world, that can be used to construct foundations, floors, and walls, using compacted natural materials such earth, chalk, lime, or gravel. A significant advantage of rammed earth is that is has a high level of thermal mass, meaning that absorbs heat steadily throughout the day and releases it overnight, this moderates daily temperatures and reduces the need for air-conditioning and heating. The curved form, which responds to the contours of the site, is achievable in rammed earth as it made by compacting material within a formwork, and provides an individual, contemporary aesthetic to the house design.

Rammed earth concrete is a method for constructing walls and structures, dating back thousands of years. Due to its environmentally friendly processes and embodied energy, rammed earth is increasingly becoming a popular choice in contemporary construction.