Rashmi Dalal (AR1021) Remya R.

Kumar (AR1028)

Wattle and daub has been used for at least 6,000 years, and is still an important construction material in many parts of the world.
Many historic buildings include wattle and daub construction, and the technique is becoming popular again in more developed areas as a lowimpact sustainable building technique.

The wattle and daub technique was used already in the Neolithic age. It was common for houses of Central Europe, Western Asia, North America and South America (Brazil). In Africa it is common in the architecture of traditional houses such as the Ashanti people. Its usage dates back at least 6000 years. A review of English architecture reveals that the sophistication of this craft is dependent on the various styles of timber frame housing.

Wattle and daub is a composite building material. A building material consisting of interwoven rods and laths or twigs plastered with mud or clay. Used especially in the construction of dwellings, walls or as an infill between members of a timberframed wall. Wattle is daubed with a sticky material usually made of some combination of wet soil, clay, sand, animal dung and straw.

WATTLE AND DAUB IN ORGANIC BUILDINGS

Wattle is the term used for fixing twigs or sticks (usually cleft or raven hazel, oak, ash) between studs on a timber frame building. Original ledger positioning can be seen by means of a long groove on one side and a short groove on the other ,thus allowing the ledgers to be wedged securely in place top and bottom. As in a vernacular from of building many variations can be expected in mix proportions and methods used.

BENEFITS

One of the most important benefits of using wattle and daub construction is its ability to be flexible. In cold weather the water content can freeze and result in further cracking . Low cost construction and widely used in vernacular architecture. Less number of labours required for constructional work.

CONSTRUCTION TECHNIQUE

The key components in creating a wattle and daub building are the frame, the wattle panel, and daub.

FRAME:

The first step in creating a building using wattle and daub is the creation of the frame. Two of the most common frameworks are close studding and parallel bracing. Close studding creates narrow spacing between the timbers and allows for support of the wattle.

Wattle and daub as infill in timber frames.