I was in Europe this summer and toured a factory that made rammed earth walls. These walls are historic and built on basic principles. Once the forms are set, local earth is placed in the forms and then rammed to become compact. Hence the name “rammed earth walls.” It may seem simple enough but it becomes more complex when you consider the need for the right type of soil, moisture content and sufficient force to achieve good compaction. Then there are the openings to consider, the corners and a host of other items to make these walls work in modern society. Not to mention meeting modern building codes.
The owner of the factory is Austrian Architect Martin Rauch. He designs and builds rammed earth projects all around the world. He also lectures and is considered a world authority on the subject. In 2019, Harvard University even sent a group of students to his facility in Austria. He continues to lecture at top universities, gaining even more worldwide respect.