For centuries, mud and clay were an abundantly available way to put a roof over one's head, but earth's environmental credentials are behind its modern-day resurgence.
More than two billion people across some 150 countries live in buildings made of earth, according to a 2006 guide on earth building by French authors Hugo Houben and Hubert Guillaud. Photo: AFP
"If we could reduce by 25% the volume of cement consumed globally it would be equivalent to negating the impact on the climate of all air transport," he estimated.It involves compacting certain soils into a mould, of sorts, to make building blocks or build up whole walls, layer by layer. But it has downsides too, not least the cost, given the need to find builders qualified in ancient techniques.Confronted with flooding, earth-constructed buildings need protection, as earth also has its weaknesses.
But purists see it as verging on heresy, in a country due to complete a 9,000-seat concert coliseum north of Paris next year using recycled excavated earth.
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