How to Build an Eco-Friendly Rammed Earth 100k House

Are you kidding? A 100k house of rammed earth? Yes, this is not a joke.

With the rise in environmental consciousness, more people are opting for rammed earth houses as a way to both be eco-friendly and save money. They are made from a mixture of soil, clay, and sand, and compressed into solid walls that provide excellent insulation and thermal mass. Plus, they look cool too!

Eco-friendly rammed earth houses don’t cost an arm and a leg! For less than 100,000 EUR you can have your very own beautiful, durable and unique abode with an earthy appearance. Here’s what you need to do to make it happen!

Site Selection

Choose a site with good drainage, and that is elevated above the surrounding land to avoid flooding. Look for a location with good solar orientation to maximize passive solar gain, which can help reduce heating costs. And of course, look out for the price, we want this to be a 100k house!

Design

Design a house that is appropriate for the climate and your lifestyle needs. A well-designed house can reduce energy costs by using natural light and ventilation, and minimizing heating and cooling needs. Consult with an architect or builder experienced in rammed earth construction to ensure that the design is suitable for the building material.

Foundation

Prepare the foundation by excavating to the appropriate depth, and filling with a layer of crushed stone or gravel. This will provide a stable base for the rammed earth walls.

Formwork

Build formwork for the rammed earth walls using plywood or other suitable materials. The formwork should be strong enough to withstand the pressure of the ramming process, and should be designed to allow for the proper thickness of the walls.

Soil Selection

Choose a soil mix that is suitable for rammed earth construction. The ideal mix should have a high clay content, and be free of organic matter, rocks, and debris. It’s important to test the soil mix to ensure that it has the right consistency and compaction properties.

Mixing

Mix the soil, clay, and sand in a ratio of approximately 70% soil, 20% clay, and 10% sand. Add water to the mix gradually, until it has a consistency that is workable but not too wet.

Ramming

Use a pneumatic rammer to compress the soil mixture into the formwork. The rammer should be operated in a systematic way, working from the bottom to the top of the formwork, and using a combination of horizontal and vertical strokes. The ramming process will take several days, and the walls should be left to cure for several weeks.

Finishing

Once the walls have cured, remove the formwork and finish the walls as desired. The walls can be left exposed for a natural, earthy aesthetic, or finished with plaster or other materials.

Roofing and Insulation

Install a roof and insulation system that is appropriate for your climate. A metal roof with insulation can provide excellent energy efficiency and durability.

Conclusion: Rammed Earth 100k House

Building an eco-friendly rammed earth house doesn’t have to break your bank account – you can do a 100k house! It may take a bit longer than usual construction, but that’s a small price to pay for such a stunning and energy-efficient home. Plus, the benefit of being kind to the environment? Priceless!