NOTE: ! Rammed Earth buildings last  years and are more environmentally friendly.

What Is The Rammed Earth Building Technique?

Rammed earth is a building technique that has been around for centuries. Earthen construction is one of the earliest means of shelter that human beings  created for themselves. Today, it is estimated that approximately 50% of the earths human population still live in earthen structures.
This building system utilizes compacted soil or laterite for the construction of walls, with added stabilizers such as clay, cement and lime which increase the strength and durability of the material.
Although many choose rammed earth for its sculptural potential, most want it for its passive solar capabilities. When walls and windows work together to keep a home cool in the hot summer months, the effect is called passive solar. Rammed earth is an ancient building material, and passive solar is an ancient design principle. The proprietor of Value Engineering, Adama Samba, had his house built using this same principle in Fajara.
The proprietor of Value Engineering's own house in Fajara is made of Rammed Earth
How Thermal Mass Stores Heat
Rammed earth walls have the highest thermal mass, or ability to store heat, of any wall system. When the sun's rays enter a room, they penetrate and are stored in thermal mass. This stored radiant energy is available to balance any drop in room temperature such as during evening hours or gray days. Thus the room temperature remains fairly constant day and night. These homes are also protected by walls so thick and dense that by the time the sun's rays have penetrated twelve inches into them, it is night time and the heat exits into the evening air.

Elements of Rammed Earth Walls

Rammed earth walls are created by ramming earth, stabilized with a small amount of Portland cement, and lubricated with a small amount of water, into forms defining the walls. Using pneumatic tampers, the earth is tamped until all particles have slid next to each other and locked together. The finished wall is 12 or 18 inches of solid mass which can be plastered both in and outside or left naked.

Costs of Rammed Earth Homes

Is rammed earth dirt cheap? Interest in rammed earth always gets to this point. The cost of a rammed earth home is no more expensive than that of any other custom home, and depends upon finishes chosen by the customer.