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Material Intelligence / 10.2026

Rammed earth: ancient mass, modern performance

1 min read

Rammed earth is one of the oldest ways to build a wall: soil compacted in layers inside a formwork. Its thermal mass slows the movement of heat, keeping interiors more stable through the day.

Adapting an old method

Contemporary mixes often add a small amount of stabiliser to improve strength and resistance to moisture. Testing the local soil early shows whether it is suitable and what it needs.

The result is a wall with visible layers and natural colour, built largely from material found close to the site.

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