Contrary to popular belief, many modern buildings are today constructed of earth in India and elsewhere in the world. This method of construction offers environmental, economic and social advantages.
In Auroville in Tamil Nadu, many buildings are the same ocher color as the soil of the plateau. Combined with current architecture knowledge and technologies, earth, sometimes mixed with straw, has made it possible to create durable, inexpensive and aesthetic buildings.
Low impact construction
One of the main advantages of modern earth buildings is their reduced monetary cost and environmental footprint. Natural buildings are made from local materials, minimizing transport-related emissions and the depletion of non-renewable resources. Earth buildings significantly reduce the carbon footprint compared to conventional construction methods.
According to the Auroville Earth Institute, Compressed Stabilized Earth Blocks (CSEB), with 5% cement, have a carbon footprint 11 times lower than country fired bricks.
Buildings constructed like this are natural insulators, which help maintain stable indoor temperatures and reduce the need for energy-intensive air conditioning. Earth construction provides great comfort for users by regulating the humidity level in the building.
For example,the homes of the Vikas community in Auroville, Tamil Nadu, were built from compressed brick between 1992 and 1998. In all, 23 apartments offer 1448 sq mts of living space associated with a collective kitchen for 50 people. Vikas community was a finalist for the World Habitat Award 2000. These buildings showcase the potential of modern natural architecture:designed with techniques such as rammed earth and compressed stabilized earth bricks. They achieve excellent thermal performance and excellent energy efficiency.
Inexpensive buildings
The use of local materials and traditional construction techniques results in lower construction costs. Less transport and low purchasing cost. In addition, earth buildings often require minimal maintenance for a longer lifespan.
“The initial cost of building with earthen materials is often lower than industrial materials,” explains Rajesh Kumar Jain, an architect specializing in ecological design. Reducing the need for air conditioning and heating provides long-term savings on energy bills. »
An aesthetic between modernity and tradition
From an aesthetic point of view, the architecture of modern earth buildings often draws on local architectural traditions. By design, earth constructions also promote community engagement and skills development, because they often rely on local crafts and labor, or even self-construction.
It fits perfectly into the environment and offers a unique aesthetic that is both traditional and modern. Additionally, the local community was involved in the construction process which made it an enriching experience.
