The use of earth as a construction material belongs to the tradition of the most diverse ancestral peoples on the planet and is present in different cultures around the world.
The ancient practice can be observed in several famous buildings, such as those mentioned above, as well as in several residences around the world. It reduces the environmental impact of a building and provides healthier spaces for those who inhabit them.
The construction industry is responsible for a significant portion of greenhouse gas emissions into the atmosphere. We need to review the way we inhabit the planet.
In this context, buildings with earth are an ideal alternative for creating a more sustainable and harmonious future. In addition to the obvious benefit of sustainability, this healthy, abundant and low environmental impact resource has numerous qualities that make it a great choice for
1. The earth regulates environmental humidity
Earth is able to absorb and release moisture faster and to a greater extent than any other building material, which allows it to balance indoor humidity.
2. The earth stores heat
Like all dense materials, earth stores heat. In climatic zones where temperature differences are wide, making it necessary to store solar heat through passive means, the earth is capable of balancing the interior climate of an environment.
3. Earth helps save energy and reduce environmental pollution
Earth produces virtually no environmental pollution compared to other construction materials. The preparation, transport and handling of earth on a construction site requires only 1% of the energy required for the production, transport of ceramic blocks or reinforced concrete.
4. Earth is reusable
Earth can be recycled countless times over an extremely long period of time as long as it is not stabilized with cement. Dry earth can be reused after immersion in water, so it never becomes a waste material that harms the environment.
5. Earth saves material and transportation costs
Clay soil is often found at a construction site, so the soil excavated for the foundations can then be used for construction.
6 . The land is ideal for self-construction
As long as the construction process is supervised by an experienced person, earth construction techniques can generally be performed by non-professionals. As the processes involved are labor intensive and require only accessible tools and machines, they are ideal for self-construction.
7. Earth preserves wood and other organic materials
Due to the low moisture content in walls built with earth, 0.4 to 0.6% of their weight, and their high capillarity, the earth preserves the wood elements that remain in contact, keeping them dry.
Earth Construction Manual
If you are an architect, engineer, builder or someone interested in building with earth, the book Earth Construction Manual is essential reading.
As the title suggests, the publication presents in depth the properties of earth as a construction material and its application in various construction techniques, functioning as a practical construction manual.
The Earth Construction Manual is the result of a study by one of the greatest experts in sustainable architecture today: Gernot Minke .
In the book, the German architect who brings together theory and practice, brings lessons resulting from more than five decades of research in his laboratory at the University of Kassel, Germany, and his magnificent projects and works around the planet.
Vaults, domes, green roofs, earth constructions that use intelligent energy optimization technologies are some of Minke's works around the world and are shared in detail in the publication.
The book is one of the most complete technical works on architecture and construction with earth. It has already been published in more than 12 languages and was unavailable to the Brazilian public.
Updated and expanded edition
The new edition of the Construction with Earth Manual, published by Solisluna Editora in partnership with the MAPADATERRA.ORG platform , has a careful technical review and presents new projects carried out in Brazil and Latin America, with adjustments to the climate context of the southern hemisphere.
Enlarged format measuring 22 x 28 cm, 224 pages, stitched and with cardboard cover. This important book is richly illustrated with plans, sketches, technical details, black and white and color photographs.
"I feel particular satisfaction in seeing that the Earth Construction Manual is published with this expanded and updated edition in Brazil, a huge country, with a great demand for ecological constructions and the use of natural materials that respect the environment", he said the author.
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