Essential Rammed Earth Construction

"All of the essential knowledge for completing a successful rammed earth project. Written by a geo-technical engineer with experience ramming earth." —Kelly Hart, author, Essential Earthbag Construction

Everything you need to know to build with rammed earth in warm and cold climates.


Rammed earth—sand, gravel, and clay or lime/cement binder packed into forms—is a low-energy, high-performance building method, yielding beautiful, sustainable results. It's thermally stable and can be insulated, can actively modulate humidity, provides a healthy indoor environment, and allows site materials to be used for major structural and building envelope elements.

Essential Rammed Earth Construction covers design, building science, tools, and step-by-step building methods for any climate, with a special emphasis on building in cold climates of the northern US, Canada, and northern Europe. Coverage includes:
Overview of earthen buildingAppropriate use of rammed earth wallsStabilized versus raw rammed earthDesign considerations, including structural, insulation, and building envelope detailsSpecial considerations for cold and freeze-thaw climatesConstruction drawings, with step-by-step building instructionsTools and labor covering industrial methods, low-tech techniques, formwork options, mix design, budgets, and schedulesCodes, inspections, and permits.

This guide is an essential resource for experienced builders, DIY home owners, designers, engineers, and architects.


"A much-needed and science-based update to a North American audience of designers, engineers and builders." —Bruce King. P.E., author, The New Carbon Architecture

" A great book for anyone who wants to deepen their technical knowledge of rammed earth walls systems. It's very helpful to have a book on rammed earth that is more focused on engineered rammed earth walls for cold climates." —Clifton Schooley, Clifton Schooley & Associates, Rammed Earth Designers and Builders