Introduction to Earthen Building

31 Jan

Using natural materials for building is an exciting journey of self-discovery. It usually starts with thirst to learn to live in harmony with nature. Gathering information is the first step, and immersing oneself in these materials to gain experience with them is next.

There are as many techniques for building with locally available natural materials as there are traditional cultural groups. Throughout human history, each culture has used materials differently depending on their context and its particular challenges, and on the relative strengths and differing properties of the materials available on or near their sites. But one thing most of them have in common is the use of soil — the earth beneath our feet.

No two sites have the exact same composition of soils. Thus, earthen builders need to gain experience with multiple soil types to understand how to work with the soils available on a given site. With any type of building material (natural or industrial), one needs to be aware of the qualities and limitations of the materials and the narrow scope for experimentation that any given material allows, as it can be highly risky to build a structure without sufficient attention to the details of best practices. Once we become intimate with the materials and how they behave — what they can do well and what they can’t be expected to do — we become more empowered to explore, experiment, and learn from experience.

Dharmalaya Institute’s How-To Series provides a collection of articles related to different aspects of natural building and other related crafts, to help you find your way through this fascinating landscape.