Natural Building involves a range of building systems and materials that place major emphasis on sustainability, and materials with a low embodied energy. Many natural building concepts date back to the earliest of building forms, at a time when people were very connected with the earth and the natural materials which surrounded them. When built properly, these techniques can last hundreds, if not thousands of years as seen in some of the cob houses in existing for centuries in Wales, and multi-floor adobe structures in Yemen.
Ancient adobe buildings, Yemen
At a time when we are facing major issues like global warming, water shortages, fossil fuels, pollution, and many other serious global concerns, a re-emergence of these building concepts is sweeping the nation, as well as internationally, through the natural building movement.
Building with earthen materials provides you with an organic structure like no other, with curvy, sculptural forms, unable to achieve through traditional building techniques. Building with earth also provides quality indoor air and no toxins or VOCs.
Natural building concepts and techniques are not just for the person who wants to live off-the grid, or who wants a cob home; these concepts can be applied to existing home renovations, aesthetic applications, veneers, yard structures, outdoor ovens, and much more! Our core values, services, and workshops to understand how Root Down Designs can bring these methods to you!
Concepts behind Natural Building:
- Use ‘earthen materials’ (clay, sand, straw, rocks, bamboo, etc.)
- Use materials which are available on site or locally
- Use salvaged/recycled materials
- Utilization of proper orientation of building, proper site design, etc. as to lessen the reliance on fossil fuels/energy consumption
- Building compactly/minimal footprint
- Reduction of square footage/versatile, efficient designs
- Passive Solar Concepts
- Labor Intensive Work = Community-Built Projects
Types of Natural Building Techniques:
- Cob
- Adobe
- Strawdobe
- Earthen Plasters
- Cord Wood
- Rammed Earth
- Straw Bale
- Slip Straw
- Chorizo
- Wattle-n-Daub
- Compressed Earth Block
- Earthen Floors
- Earth Ship
- and more!
Here’s a few examples of Natural Building structures collected from the southeast.
