Homes From The Earth
- MOHAMMED A.A.
- Dec 14, 2018
- 5 min read
The Earthen Building Material And Techniques, In The Arid Regions
Abstract
This paper is about the earthen building materials and techniques, in the arid regions, and in Saudi Arabia in particular. Where earth play as a factor of comfort, economy saver, and also flower social urbanism. The comparison between the pros and cons of deferent earthen arid materials and techniques, will be the main course of this paper. Followed by some challenges of applying such approaches. And finally, the conclusion and recommendations.
BACKGROUND Home’s Current Situation :
Economically , Building materials, in general, such as steel and concrete are costly as a row material.
Then, the costs of transportation, manufacturing, and installation, are added to the over all price. That affect dramatically the budget. And so, the majority of med/low classes, sit under the stress of renting for long time. (Building An Affordable , 2012 , P.1) .
Environmentally , industrial cites and large human settlements, mostly are next to sensitive natural resources. Such as, water lakes , forest, and mines. And the impact is very negative. Some creatures are already been extinct, and some are drained totally. While, one of the main demanding markets for these sources is construction. (Earth Brick , 2012 , P.2)
Socially , Each material has deferent cyclogical effects, while the concreate and steal structures gives control and competence feelings, the mud and adobe buildings are quit cozy, comfort and warm. (Building An Affordable , 2012 , P.1) . Those feelings affect the human social activity. Some materials with non-well designs, may create, health and ethical problems if they have been lived for a long time.
Deferent Solution / Approaches :
Retroactive approach, Which propose and modify new building materials to improve the industry, with technology and innovation of new hybrid.
Conservative approach, Where it propose and modify the old, long time tested, and experimented materials. In this case, by using the earth materials with either a new technique or with additives and stabilizers.
PROPOSALS
ONLY WITH EARTH MATERIALS :
This part will approach methods and techniques, which use raw materials directly, at the arid regions.
Adobe brick is an ancient method of construction , that started in the meddle east and later spread to Europe then by the Spanish into the new world in Mexico and in north America. Adobe blocks are made from mixing clay-rich soil , sand ,straw and water. The mixture is poured into block forms and then backed in the sun for couple of weeks. Then adobes are layered in an over lapping pattern , mortared in place with mud and finally mud plaster finishing . Builders in north America add cement as stabilizer material to mud m called Pressed Earth Blocks , for more uniform block shape and for more water proof. adobe is widely available local resource. It is also approved by most building department. It requires low-skill job and so less total cost . On the other hand , adobe building is time consuming and require a draying climate for constricting it . (Building An Affordable , 2012 , P.1).
Rammed Earth is an old natural building material if not the oldest . It dates back to the pharaoh's time. It contains 70 % sand and 30 % clay , which works as stabilizer material . Builders in California , New Mexico , Arizona and Colorado are using it for modern homes. Wooden or steel forms are mounted on 1 to 2 foot-thick foundations. Then 6 to 8 inches of slightly moisture dirt are shoveled into the forms . (Building An Affordable , 2012 , P.1). Finally, the mixture is tamped with a pneumatic tamping machine. Rammed Earth are attractive and enduring structures. And suitable for different styles and cheaper to build than brick, stone and adobe. However, it requires labor skills and maybe difficult to gain Building Department Approval. (Building An Affordable , 2012 , P.4).
MIXED AND ENHANCED WITH ADDITIVES :
This part will approach methods and techniques, which use chemical additives to increase the arid earth material's strength. Or use the context to enhance it.
Earth bricks
In Japan , an architect called Atelier Tekuto design a project in 2008. Which has been developed together with universities corporate and specialists . The project started at 2008 and finished at 2011on about 184.62 sqm . The concept is “ construction materials that can be made with any soil in the world , and return to nature 100%. (Earth Brick , 2012 , P.3) . The chemical additive that increases the strength and stabilizing properties of earth brick is the Magnesium Oxide substance. It is extracted from ocean and from land as well , so it can be produced any where around the world . It is also resourceful and harmless to nature. This mixture surpasses Japanese Construction Standards , which is the highest in the world . (Earth Brick , 2012 , P.3) . The future objectives of Atelier Tekuto are libraries , museums and even churches that are built out of this material. (Earth Brick , 2012 , P.4) .
Earth sheltering
is simply a houses which have been accommodated inside the earth , (see picture 1) . It is divided into two types : first is the Under Ground , which is completely build under the grade. Second one is the Bermed, it is above the grade totally or partially , and the earth covers one or more walls.
Here are some pros and cons of earth-sheltering :
It has less susceptibility to the out side temperature. Less maintenance cost. Great sound and thermal insulation. Visual blinding with the land scape. ( Earth Sheltered , 2015 , P.2 )
The main four concerns before to start this method are : climate that has high temperature and low humidity are the most cost effective for such a technique. Also the steep topographies consume less excavations. The south orientation to the glass facades is the pest for light quality. Granular soils are better than cohesive ones, such as gravels and clay. ( Earth Sheltered , 2015 , P.3 )
CHALLENGES
Regulations and laws is not the air or the light quality standards, that limit or conflict with earth material constructions . however, the way that the lots and land parcels are arranged and organized force to use certain materials and designs. Which create other issues to be solved.
People perspectives in some countries like Saudi Arabia, which had recent development , and people start to use and discover new deferent materials. it is very difficult to have opposite Conservative approach. people miss link between the very near past, where they used to build with mud , and between the new earthen materials and techniques. The same image and quality are predicted , and that is absolutely not true.
Architecture school programs, the current courses and how they take topics such as arid region and building materials , lake to the practical side. that gives an idea that this approach is a history type, non practical and not pleasing to use in design and in the market as well. Which is quit not true.
CONCLUSION
Building with earth materials is not new idea or technique . It’s a time tested method and very reliableway of construction. Especially at arid regions. With out mentioning the environmental and visual advantages. the economical solution that it is providing is very noticeable.
Therefore, here are some recommendations. First, diversity and variety of solutions are recommended . Second, new urban planning and building type regulations. Finally , the public are very interest to try and use new methods if they will gain more advantages. So more funding and support to the researchers, to develop this field and also to the media to crate positive consideration to the earth building materials and techniques.
MOHAMMED ALQAHTANI
201180730
Arid Region Med. Paper ARC_435
KING FAHD UNIVERSITY OF PETROLEUM AND MINERALS
College Of Environmental Design
Architectural Department
18 October 2016
بالتوفيق للمهندس الخلوق المبدع م محمد البسامي