Building with mud, glorious mud
Article written by Jonathan Glancey (BD) in the Guardian’s architecture:
” Using mud to build may be an extreme example of giving preference to local materials, but if we don’t explore such options we are condemned to the banal
An email arrives from Jean Dethier, director of the Pompidou’s architecture exhibitions between 1975 and 2004. Remember Le Temps des Gares, Images & Imaginaires d’Architecture, Architecture de Terre? Great exhibitions, all. Dethier wants to tell me about a lecture he’s giving, “Building with Raw Earth: an eco-revolution?” on February 17 at Fitzwilliam College, Cambridge. more
The article resonates with a lot of experiments which Mark of the Boidus team has particular keen intrest in. Here are some few extracts from his previous entries:
How to begin building with earth and straw
By now you must be champing at the bit to get building, so without further ado let’s get to it!
Firstly you have to make the earth and straw mixture; this is hard work and will beat a workout at the gym hands down! You will need a large board;more
How to make Rammed Earth Blocks
To make a rammed earth block it is quite simple. Firstly you need to make some “shuttering” or “formwork”. This is a simple box with no bottom or top. Just 4 edges.
I used old scrap chipboard from a disposed kitchen, but soon found that the shipboard splits under pressure! I would strongly advise the best quality wood you can find for this stage of construction.more
The beauty of outdoor cooking and dining alfresco
It was the longest day of the year, and a great day for outdoor cooking! Alfresco dining is what the summer is all about, so as long as you have SOME outdoor space, make the most of it! A balcony is enough, even if it means balancing a plate on your lap – I promise food will taste better in open air 
10 Responses to “Building with mud, glorious mud”
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Mark Ellery on February 6th, 2009
other mud building articles –
http://www.boidus.co.uk/?p=8
http://www.boidus.co.uk/?p=6
Robert Pike on April 4th, 2009
http://www.plymouth.ac.uk/pages/view.asp?page=10226
You may be interested in the Centre for Earthen Architecture, University of Plymouth.
Robert Pike on April 4th, 2009
http://terre.grenoble.archi.fr/accueil.php
Craterre in France is a town made entirely of rammed earth
Robert Pike on April 4th, 2009
Mark how would you say your oven has performed during such a harsh winter? Has it survived?
Mark Ellery on April 5th, 2009
Hi rob, the English winter this year was bad, very bad. We had snow on numerous occasions and it settled pretty deeply, but the make shift A frame tent (shower curtain) has preserved the oven perfectly! I expected it to simply crumble away over th long winter, but its fine! It has some rising damp, and green mould/moss growth – but it feel it gives it character, i was thinking maybe the little roots even bind it together?! i am seriously considering growing more plants on the edge where it meets th ground – these plants will spread roots to help knit it into th floor, might also prevent further rising moisture… only thing is it is in a shady location so i need to chose the right species of plant
im open to suggestions!
I plan on lighting the oven again in a week or two to celebrate my birthday – all are welcome!
Also, i did actually light th oven a few months back to do jacket potatoes for a dinner for me and louise – the wood (fuel) was cold and damp, but after some encouragement it lit, just goes to show the oven is an all year round cooking tool! all i need now is a big parasol (like from a pub) and the oven could even be used during the rain!
Robert Pike on April 5th, 2009
Well you could give a sedum roof
Lichens and moses might act as a good cover. Some plants like ivy may break down the mud.
In African countries there is a sacrificial surface layer which is reapplied each year to protect the earth building. It becomes a tradition of that building to reapply this layer of protection.
So it has survived longer than you had hoped it would. That is good.
Mark Ellery on April 6th, 2009
maybe it can be a fun thing to do next time i have friends round for drinks,
“here you go mate, slap some mud on th oven and i will get you a beer”
Robert Pike on November 18th, 2009
Earthen Architecture in Mexico http://su.pr/2GSw9T
This is a very long research paper!
Tokyo Cooking Schools on February 2nd, 2010
The more sites I visit the more I realize that most of them don’t live up to their promise, but this one is different. I love it. Thank you for the Architecture news, blogging and Social Networking » Building with mud, glorious mud posting. Cindy Kerr.
Mark Ellery on February 5th, 2010
thanks for your inspiring comments !