Alternative Construction

Construction Technology

Alternative Techniques
Adobe Construction
Rammed Earth
Pneumatic Structures
Straw and Clay Construction
Earth Ship Construction
Cob Construction

Rammed Earth
Construction

Rammed Earth
Earth Pressed Blocks

Extremely stable
Each block can hold over 1000 lbs per sq. in.
Can withstand winds over 140 mph.

Made quickly and easily at the site

Machines are brought to the site.

Natural and Safe

Non-toxic
No off-gasing

Rammed Earth
Other Features

Energy Efficiency
Absorbs suns heat

In the winter, it keeps the heat inside.

In the summer, it keeps the excess heat in the
walls.

Long Lasting
The are buildings still standing that are

hundreds of years old.

Low Maintenance
Virtually no maintenance

Rammed Earth
Fast

Can make 10
blocks per minute
600 blocks an
hour.
Can be stacked
immediately
No drying time

Cheap

About six cents a

block
Dirt is free and
available at the site.
Only paying for
energy to make the
blocks and labor
Simple: unskilled
workers can do it.

Rammed Earth
Earth Press Machine

John Deere Diesel Powered

20 60 thousand dollars

Earthship Construction

Earthship Construction
Natural and recycled materials
Solar Power
Thermal Mass Construction
Integrated water systems
Few or no utility bills

Earthship Construction
Natural and Recycled Materials

Everything is recycled or natural

Tires, aluminum, wood, plastic, etc.

Thermal Mass Construction

During the day, the heat is attracted

to the cold materials.
During the night when the rest of the
house cools, those materials are now
warmer, and they release the heat.

Earthship Construction
Integrated Water Systems

Grey Water Systems

Water from sinks and

showers are recycled
in the greenhouse.

Composting Toilets

Human waste is
turned to fluffy
material that can be
used as fertilizer.

Rain Water Catchment

A cistern catches rainwater,

which is filtered and used in
the house.

Rainwater Catchment
System

Composting Toilets

Cob Structures

Cob Construction
Clay, straw, and Sand

Clay holds the mixture together

Straw reinforces the mixture
Sand hardens the mixture.

Mixed by foot or with

a cement mixer

Cob Construction
Wont Catch on Fire
Can withstand earthquakes
Energy Efficient
Extremely Durable
Environmentally Friendly
Materials are readily available

Cob Construction
Mixed into a dough like consistency,
Placed onto the walls up to two foot thick
Create any shape desired
Like sculpting a house

Very
Inexpensive

Straw and Clay

Construction

Straw and Clay

Straw is mixed
with clay and
shaped into 1 foot
thick blocks.
They are stacked
around a timber
frame.

Straw and Clay

Cheap: Readily available materials
Excellent Insulation
Can be spackled over
Fire resistant
Rodent resistant
The walls can breath

Pneumatic Structures

Pneumatic Structures
Used for

Military purposes
Relief Efforts
Sporting Events

Easily Transported

Folds up
Just set in place and inflate

Pneumatic Structures
Usually a frame of
tubes that hold
air.
Frame is covered
with a durable
material

Nylon
Plastic
Etc.

Pneumatic Structures
Sometimes,
they are just a
giant sheet of
material
inflated with air.
You have to go
through an
airlock to get
in, so the air
doesnt escape.