4. In this report I will be talking about maintaining a sustainable population with the use of Adobe. I will evaluate the
advantages and disadvantages of this material and why it is a better sustainable product than some of the more
advanced technological materials used today. Furthermore, I will be talking about what adobe can be used for and
the demand for it in the current industry.
Traditional Adobe Hut
<http://www.sustainablematerials.org.uk/re-
source/adobe.html>
Sun Dried Adobe Bricks
< http://www.explore-laos.com/tourism-laos-
project-clay-school/ >
Introduction
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5. Adobe has been used to build homes and buildings for centuries. It consists of clay, silt, sand and aggregate.
By mixing these components with water the clay acts as a glue holding the brick together. The process of
producing adobe bricks takes up to a week in dry climate. Adobe also acts as a good insulator when mixed
with other natural materials, such as straw or dung, hardening the clay. <http://www.sustainablematerials.org.uk/
resource/adobe.html> Adobe walls should be build of a foundation of concrete or stone to protect them from mos-
iture damage.
It is estimated that around half of the world’s population lives or works in a building custructed with adobe.
I was born in a mud hut in Nepal mysel f. Nepal being a third world country I noticed that houses build with earth
only existed in deprived villages outside Kathmandu Valley. From my own experience, the population judged the
use of adobe in building as a sign of poverty.
Constructing a Adobe wall the traditional way
<http://www.earthedworld.co.uk/index.php?module=-
photoshare&func=showimages&fid=30>
Binding mud, dirt and starw together before hardening.
<http://www.earthedworld.co.uk/index.php?module=photos-
hare&func=showimages&fid=30>
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6. Advantages
Adobe has the capacity to absorb, store and release solar heat. <http://www.sustainabledevelopmentnetwork.
com/manual1/Chapter%203.pdf> It keeps cool in the summer and warm in the winter. It provides a cost effective,
long lasting and an environment friendly solution. Therefore, this decreases the usage of fossil fuels or other energy
sources affecting our environment. If sourced on site it cuts transport costs and fuel consumption, however, it is
labour-intensive but can be easily taught. A study by the Institute of Technology, University of Fort Hare found that
traditional mud huts offer better thermal comfort than low-cost RDP houses. (Makaka and Meyer, 2006)
Earth blocks are fire, noise and bug resistant.
Disadvantages
It is also important to understand the limitations of the material. Earth buildings tend to take much longer than
conventional buildings to dry out – typically around six to nine months. This isn’t the building method to choose
if you are in a hurry. Earth walls also have to be very thick - generally 900 mm or more - to achieve modern,
high levels of energy efficiency.< http://www.channel4.com/4homes/build-renovate/self-build-advice/building-
with-earth> Promoting Earth suructures in the UK could be tricky as the weather in the country is always un-
settled. Allowing the earth structure to dry in UK rain and snow could prove a problem.
However, In the West Country, Cob is a traditional form of building.The only difference between Adobe and Cob is
how they are stacked together to build a wall. Cob is sculpted when wet right into the shape of the wall. Unfired
clay blocks are made and used in the UK. This is surprising to me because of the temperature issues in the UK.
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7. 4
“The Ricola Herb Centre in Laufen (Basel), Switzerland was designed in 2012 by renowned architects Herzog &
de Mueron with a facade constructed by master clay builder Martin Rauch, the building is a high-volume long
building with flat roof and façade built using the rammed earth. Façade elements made of compacted local clay
sourced from the Laufen valley will form Europe’s largest loam building by 2014. From spring 2014, Ricola’s herb
processing activities will be entirely carried out at a single location. Distinctive features of the brand new produc-
tion building are high energy efficiency and state-of-the-art green building principles.” < http://www.eartharchi-
tecture.org>
Ricola Herd Center
< http://www.eartharchitecture.org>
Case Study
8. In a recent Interview with a London based Designer, I asked “Ehat she thought the future of sustainable design will
be?” She replied very positively, indicating a real change with legislation, and with targets set out for the co
struction industry.
Conclusion
Recognising the effort made by Designers and Architects to develop the use of Sustainabe materials is vital. The
Ricola Herb House is self efficent and shows the developement from mud huts to the new state-of-the-art green
building.
Earth is the ultimate natural material as it is plentiful in supply and generally sourced quite locally. These natural
qualities have led to quite a resurgence in interest in its use in recent years. Nonetheless, many people do not
use adobe because it seems like a primitive way to insulate or construct a building. This mindset is outdated and
should be quickly reversed in society. Thankfully, the sustainable movement has made great strides in the past few
decades to help people overcome their prejudices to many environmentally friendly materials.
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