I don’t see myself as an environmental designer, I don’t try to actively make my designs ‘green’. What I try to do is use proven, low technology where I can, and use as much re-used, not recycled, material as possible. There are various benefits to this, the proven low technology, means that it’s normally very easy to build with unskilled labour. The fact that it’s low technology means that it’s cheap, and it’s running costs are low. By re-using material, there’s no energy loss on recycling it and then using it, so that’s cheaper.
The by-product of this process is that the design is actually environmentally friendly. By being economical first, the design becomes environmental. A refreshing change from designs that try to be environmental first and become un-economical because of it.
The tyre-rammed earth wall is a simple design that creates a large thermal mass, with a stable base and can actually get stronger over time. The natural growth and plants that accumulate on the exterior of the wall over time actually help to hold the earth together with their root system rather that destroy the structure like they would with a concrete wall. The thickness of the wall keeps the interior temperature more stable, reducing the need for cooling or heating systems along with wide base and plant finish, the design also is resistant to earth movement and excessive water.
