Further Research (Materials for construction: Hand-rammed)

In this post, I will be researching one of the materials that can be used in house construction, which is hand-rammed concrete.

As mentioned in my post before (Initial Research (Peter Zumthor)), I am considering using hand-rammed materials for the construction of the house since it is one of many suitable materials for the prefabricated method (Sayfa, 2022). However, hand-rammed concrete and earth have their own pros and cons. A study conducted by GLS Rammed Earth suggests that rammed earth construction is more eco-friendly than concrete due to its use of natural materials and minimal energy consumption (). Rammed earth has a lower embodied energy compared to concrete and depends on locally available soil, which reduces overall costs. In contrast, cement production for concrete results in a higher carbon footprint and requires raw material extraction and transportation, leading to resource depletion (Glsrammedearth, 2023). Concrete production generally has higher costs due to the need for more materials and labour. Furthermore, rammed earth provides adequate insulation without the need for additional insulation materials, unlike concrete (Glsrammedearth, 2023).

Rammed Earth

After careful research, as seen above, rammed earth is the most suitable material for building my project due to its environmentally friendly nature, exceptional thermal efficiency, and aesthetic appeal. Opting for rammed earth for my house project would contribute to a more sustainable and harmonious living space.

In addition, I have also researched other prefabricated materials, such as wood and laminated timber. Wood is generally cheaper than concrete; however, it is not environmentally sustainable, as my project is going to be mass-built for the entire neighbourhood. Laminate timber is also considered, though it is available at a higher cost. 

References: 

What are prefabricated building materials? (no date) Ayba Metal. Available at: https://aybametal.com/en/blog/prefabricated-building-materials#:~:text=1.-,Concrete,damage%20caused%20by%20natural%20disasters. (Accessed: 14 May 2024).

Glsrammedearth (2023) Rammed earth vs. concrete: Benefits, durability, and Sustainability, GLSRammedEarth. Available at: https://glsrammedearth.com/blog/rammed-earth-vs-concrete/#:~:text=Concrete%20production%20is%20notorious%20for,have%20excellent%20thermal%20mass%20properties. (Accessed: 14 May 2024).