The Rammed Earth House [Paperback]

David Easton (Author), Cynthia Wright (Photographer)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 13, 2007

The Rammed Earth House is an eye-opening example of how the most dramatic innovations in home design and construction frequently have their origins in the distant past. By rediscovering the most ancient of all building materials —earth—forward-thinking homebuilders can now create structures that set new standards for beauty, durability, and efficient use of natural resources.

Rammed earth construction is a step forward into a sustainable future, when homes will combine pleasing aesthetics and intense practicality with a powerful sense of place. Rammed earth homes are built entirely on-site, using basic elements—earth, water, and a little cement. The solid masonry walls permit design flexibility while providing year-round comfort and minimal use of energy. The builder and resident of a rammed earth house will experience the deep satisfaction of creating permanence in a world dominated by the disposable.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

The beauty and grace of rammed earth construction is described in fascinating detail by David Easton. The photographs of different structures, both modern and ancient, by Cynthia Wright, create a breathtaking glimpse into a building technique that is as old as human history, but exactly suitable for today's resource-conscious and environmentally friendly building needs. Trees may be getting a bit scarce these days, but there's no current shortage of dirt, the main component of rammed earth homes. From such a prosaic material, gold has been spun in these timeless, graceful, and nearly indestructible homes and buildings. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Review

"David has always been a pioneer, and I'm particularly excited about his work bringing rammed earth as an appropriate technology to areas of the developing world. Guided by David's team, rural communities build structures far more permanent and energy efficient than any they had before."--Mike Korchinsky, Founder and CEO, Wildlife Works, Inc.

"I find great hope in David Easton's description of ways to meld the environmentally friendly with the aesthetically satisfying. And I find inspiration in his very practical advice on making these beautiful blends of earth and air a part of our lives. Architecture defines us, and helps us to find meaning in the very structures we call our homes. This book is a must read for all interested in blending spirituality with practicality."--J. Kalani English, Hawaii State Senator

"David Easton is an essential figure in the world of earthen architecture, both in the field and on paper. Through his work and books, Easton brings a practical answer to the Brundtland statement on sustainable development. He has proven beyond doubt that earthen architecture is a viable option for Our Common Future."--Hugo Houben, International Centre for Earth Construction, Grenoble, France

"David Easton's book is a definitive account of the art and technology of rammed earth construction. Architects, builders, and home-owners interested in earth construction methods should start here." -John Ochsendorf, PhD Associate Professor of Building Technology MIT Department of Architecture

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 274 pages
• Publisher: Chelsea Green Publishing; Completely revised edition edition (June 13, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1933392371
• ISBN-13: 978-1933392370
• Product Dimensions: 6.1 x 0.7 x 9.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #742,620 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

49 of 49 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Excellent, lacks some detail on construction February 24, 1997

By A Customer

Format:Paperback

In Venezuela, South America, there is some interest in reviving an old method of cobnstruction, called "tapial" in spanish (rammed earth).
Many old building remain in South America from the time of the spaniards. The book illustrates how a modern enginee, David Easton, in California, has taken over the problem of building with rammed earth in country where there is very little "tradition", hence know how, on building with rammed earth.
The book lacks detail on the rammed earth system employed by the authors. More drawings and pictures would be very useful to translate modern technology to underdevelopped countries.
Best regards,
Miguel A. Megias, Professor of Engineering
Universidad de Carabobo
Valencia, Venezuela
e-mail [e-mail].v

28 of 28 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars "East Coaster" Looking to use Rammed Earth April 5, 2000

By JOHN K KURTZ

Format:Paperback

I purchased this book in order to find an optimistic source on the subject of rammed earth. David Easton does have a positive attitude about the subject. I enjoyed his enthusiasm. I enjoyed the 10 or so pages of color pictures and the many black and white pictures through the book. Like another reviewer, I felt the book lacked some good engineering sketches and some good pictoral illustrations of the forming systems. I was encouraged enough by his book to want to build a rammed earth house somewhere in the coming years. [e-mail].

15 of 18 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent resource! January 22, 1999

By A Customer

Format:Paperback

I found this book, as other books by Real Goods, to be very informative and easy for the layperson to comprehend. David presents the information in a reader friendly style, and the photos greatly enhance the script.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Good book with some drawbacks March 29, 2008

By Anne M. Fleming

Format:Paperback

This is a beautiful book, which expanded my respect and knowledge of earth construction. I was formally most familiar with rammed earth tire construction (Earthships, by Michael Reynolds), but this more accessible and palatable version of rammed earth has wider appeal. The book lacks good construction and engineering specs. There are plenty of photos of rammed earth forms, but no technical drawings to help in their construction. I assume that Easton thinks that the subject of form building in concrete construction has been thoroughly covered elsewhere. His discussion of soil testing is impressive (as is the soil testing appendix), but at the same time discouraging. It seems that the likelihood of having proper soil at one's site is slim to nill, though most soil types can be amended with portland cement. I admire his reserve in not advising readers to just dig up their site and use whatever is there, without regard for the future durability and function of the structure. Overall, a good book, but it is absolutely not a step by step construction guide for the novice who is unfamiliar with homebuilding.

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A 'must' for any studying alternative housing, and sure to be a popular, repeat lend for any public lending library. October 5, 2007

By Midwest Book Review

Format:Paperback

Any owner/builder who would study up on rammed earth construction, both theory and applied concepts, must have The Rammed Earth House: this edition has been completely revised and pairs color photos by Cynthia Wright with discussions of the art and technology of rammed earth housing. Chapters come from an architect and discuss everything from field testing soil to understanding layout, design, and soil compaction. A 'must' for any studying alternative housing, and sure to be a popular, repeat lend for any public lending library.

5.0 out of 5 stars This One's A Keeper October 1, 2007

By Emily

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

I bought this book because I'm researching wall systems, hoping to build a place of my own some day. After lots of study, I probably won't use the rammed earth system, but I think it's fascinating, and I will probably use this book for reference in the future. If you're interested in earth walls, this one is a must-have for your library.

5.0 out of 5 stars the most comprehensive rammed earth guide on the market June 19, 2007

By Samuel Cabrol

Format:Paperback

this is the guide to rammed earth. David Easton's enthusiasm and expertise provide for the most informative and readable book on rammed earth on the market.