Design review | Rammed earth

A research review by Loucas Anastasiou

Rammed Earth was first introduced to me by my 3rd year Architecture tutor, Dr Aliki Myrto Perysinaki. I was initially struck by its appearance because of the different colours of layering, as though it has been extruded from the ground. At the time, I was very curious about the construction methods of rammed earth and decided to research its construction process. The Centre For Alternative Technology in Pantperthog, Wales, holds a lecture theatre partly constructed from the material. I visited the lecture theatre to learn more about rammed earth, how it is used and its potential - specifically in the UK. 

This way of construction is a more sustainable and alternative method to concrete, as it consists of using local clay deposits and sand. The mix is then rammed into a form, and the process is repeated again and again, creating the layering that you see in the images from the lecture theatre. Rammed earth is a material that I have continued to explore through several university and professional projects.

Loucas Anastasiou / Architectural Assistant