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The
rammed earth Shepperd
Lecture Theatre at The Wales Institute for Sustainable Education at CAT,
the Centre for Alternative Technology, took rammed earth in the UK to a new level.
Plenty more images of the
rammed earth build and walls.
As part of the overall energy design of the building
the 430 tonnes of earth structure ensure that the air temperature is
steady winter and summer, and the building remains comfortable
throughout. This means that there is no shading needed on the
extensive south facing glass walls, fully using the available solar
gain.
The
walls themselves are built from earth which has a maximum clay content
of 7%, enough to give the strength required both when the walls are
finished and dry, but critically while they are still new and
supporting themselves and the roof above.
The
formwork used was a commercially available concrete system, but
instead of concrete it had earth placed and rammed inside. The 1.2m x
1.2m panels weighs 90kg so each one had to be craned into place. The
work was done by site carpenters trained and expert in concrete
formwork but now having the challenge of a new technology to deal with.
Soil
was mixed and brought to site from a quarry nearby in one
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