Rammed Earth walls possess a distinctive character. The material and the thickness of the walls exude warmth, strength and a sense of the organic. The surface is unlike any typical painted or plastered sheetrock wall. Rammed Earth walls are for anyone who would like to incorporate a bold, strong and beautiful earthen wall into their project.

What is Rammed Earth?

Rammed earth, or pisé, construction provides an environmentally-sound method for building walls out of a mixture of soil, water, seven percent cement (for strength), and pigment for color. The building process involves placing and compacting multiple layers of this earthen mixture, one on top of the other. Once the wall is compacted, the forms are removed and the wall is complete. If desired, the finished wall can be stuccoed or plastered.

Rammed earth, in its various forms, has been used as a construction method for thousands of years. In fact, many rammed earth structures hundreds of years old still stand to this day, including the Church of the Holy Cross in Charleston, South Carolina, and portions of the Great Wall of China. These historic pieces stand as a testament to the potential of modern rammed earth construction methods.

Rammed earth walls can be built to accommodate a variety of design specifications and is proven to be a sturdy, durable, and thermally efficient choice for constructing commercial and residential buildings.

The Design Process

A properly designed structure is vital. All structural, architectural, mechanical and electrical specifications need to be finalized before rammed earth construction begins. Consultation with a rammed earth contractor during the design process can help address the blockouts and backing that will need to be installed as the walls are formed. Because the walls are in a finished state when the forms are removed, the position of these items must be determined in the design phase of construction.

Rammed earth structures are shaped by custom forms, which we create, and thus are not limited to simple rectangular shapes. Curves, oversized windows, differing widths and heights are all possible. Furthermore, they can take on a variety of colors and textures, based on the pigment and finish used during construction.

The construction process for rammed earth appears simple on paper: build the forms, and then ram the earth. In practice, however, this process requires careful planning and coordination between the owners, the architect/designer and the rammed earth contractor. SGB will work with your architect and/or designer to make sure the process goes as smoothly and efficiently as possible, each step of the way.

Sims General Building and Rammed Earth

Sims General Building can construct rammed earth homes and structures in the major Albuquerque area. We are also happy to build and/or supervise the construction of rammed earth walls throughout the state.



Image: Clifton Schooley RammedEarth.info