Alternative Construction

Construction Technology

Alternative Techniques

Adobe ConstructionRammed EarthPneumatic StructuresStraw and Clay ConstructionEarth Ship ConstructionCob Construction

Rammed Earth Construction

Rammed Earth

Earth Pressed Blocks Extremely stable

Each block can hold over 1000 lbs per sq. in. Can withstand winds over 140 mph.

Made quickly and easily at the site Machines are brought to the site.

Natural and Safe Non-toxic No off-gasing

Rammed Earth

Other Features Energy Efficiency

Absorbs suns heat In the winter, it keeps the heat inside. In the summer, it keeps the excess heat in the

walls. Long Lasting

The are buildings still standing that are hundreds of years old.

Low Maintenance Virtually no maintenance

Rammed Earth

Fast Can make 10

blocks per minute 600 blocks an

hour. Can be stacked

immediately No drying time

Cheap About six cents a

block Dirt is free and

available at the site.

Only paying for energy to make the blocks and labor

Simple: unskilled workers can do it.

Rammed Earth

Earth Press Machine

John Deere – Diesel Powered20 – 60 thousand dollars

Earthship Construction

Earthship Construction

Natural and recycled materialsSolar PowerThermal Mass ConstructionIntegrated water systemsFew or no utility bills

Earthship Construction

Natural and Recycled Materials Everything is recycled or natural

Tires, aluminum, wood, plastic, etc.

Thermal Mass Construction During the day, the heat is attracted

to the cold materials. During the night when the rest of the

house cools, those materials are now warmer, and they release the heat.

Earthship Construction

Grey Water Systems Water from sinks

and showers are recycled in the greenhouse.

Composting Toilets Human waste is

turned to fluffy material that can be used as fertilizer.

Integrated Water Systems

Rain Water Catchment A cistern catches rainwater,

which is filtered and used in the house.

Rainwater Catchment System

Composting Toilets

Cob Structures

Cob Construction

Clay, straw, and Sand Clay holds the mixture together Straw reinforces the mixture Sand hardens the mixture.

Mixed by foot or with a cement mixer

Cob Construction

Won’t Catch on FireCan withstand earthquakesEnergy EfficientExtremely DurableEnvironmentally FriendlyMaterials are readily available

Cob Construction

Mixed into a dough like consistency,

Placed  onto the walls up to two foot thick

Create any shape desired Like sculpting a house

Very Inexpensive

Straw and Clay Construction

Straw and Clay

Straw is mixed with clay and shaped into 1 foot thick blocks.They are stacked around a timber frame.

Straw and Clay

Cheap: Readily available materialsExcellent InsulationCan be spackled overFire resistantRodent resistantThe walls can breath

Pneumatic Structures

Pneumatic Structures

Used for… Military purposes Relief Efforts Sporting Events

Easily Transported Folds up Just set in place and inflate

Pneumatic Structures

Usually a frame of tubes that hold air.Frame is covered with a durable material Nylon Plastic Etc.

Pneumatic Structures

Sometimes, they are just a giant sheet of material inflated with air.You have to go through an airlock to get in, so the air doesn’t escape.