Architecture of Rammed Earth: Implications of surface geometry on design variability for contemporary formations of thermally performative rammed earth wall panels

Buildings contribute to approximately a third of the world’s greenhouse gas emissions. The residential sector contributes to 13% of the world’s total delivered energy.(United Nations Environment Programme, 2009) With such a high impact on global energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions, it is imperative that we find solutions that would minimize the carbon footprint of new construction over the entire lifecycle of the building – construction, operation and demolition. 

Rammed earth construction is an environmentally benign alternative to current construction materials. It utilizes locally sourced materials, requires minimal processing, and is a healthy, non-toxic material providing greater indoor air quality. The use of Rammed Earth as a thermal storage device has the potential to reduce the energy associated with heating and cooling a building while reconnecting with vernacular practices of architecture.

This study explores the effectiveness of rammed earth as wall panels in hot and arid climates. It aims at identifying digital tools and processes to introduce greater design variability in Rammed Earth.