Tony Johnson runs Earth House Holdings in Sooke, B.C., Canada. He specializes in rammed earth like his own house featured here. He used steel rebar and wool insulation, which results in exceptional strength when it comes to earthquakes and a much more insulated envelope for the colder Canadian climate. It is extremely energy efficient due to the thermal mass and thermal break created by the insulation. It is also an airtight material, which means that there’s little heat loss from a poor air barrier.
Another factor is its ability to provide protection against wildfires. Rammed earth is naturally fire-resistant, and if used in combination with metal roofs and tempered glass can fortify homes against fires.
The Canadian government predicts a demand for an additional 3.5 million homes by 2030. While conventional stick-built homes typically endure for 50 to 100 years, Tony Johnson argues for rammed earth homes, which have a significantly longer lifespan. Moreover, despite the utilization of approximately nine per cent concrete in these structures, Johnson asserts that their longevity through this construction method significantly diminishes the carbon footprint.
Rammed earth offers a unique way to interact with the land and the environment and build a long-lasting legacy of sustainability. While we look for solutions to help navigate both the housing and climate crises, it’s exciting to see the ingenuity that’s driving Canadians to build better for the future.
You can watch a video about this house at www.youtube.com
You can read he original article at www.theweathernetwork.com
There’s rammed-earth structures that have been standing for several thousand years, which certainly is a testament to the lastiness and longevity of the material. And I’ve seen photos of rammed earth specimens that have two or more storeys, a testament to the material’s strength. The particular rammed-earth houses shown in the photos of this article really do look amazing! I’d especially like to see experimentation with rammed-earth for different architectural styles, as the material has kilotons of potential!!