Earthen Architecture: Sustainable and Eco-Efficient Construction

Abstract

Sustainable construction or material can be achieved by using the local and natural resources so that it can meet cultural, economic and social needs, but it does not refer to degrade these resources to such extent that they cannot meet these needs in future generations. Earth materials are cheap, abundant, environment friendly and are the extensively used material for construction around the world. The number of ancient earthen building that remain standing today are the best examples for demonstrate durability of prevalence earth as building material. It has also been demonstrated by most of the scientific works that these materials have the low thermal conductivity and high heat capacity enabling earthen building thermal stability compared with concrete building. In the last few decades, earth construction has received increased attention by the scientific community. Less developed countries are the ones which are mainly influenced by these types of construction materials and techniques. However, the mimetic temptations towards more polluting construction techniques based on reinforced concrete and fired bricks are likely to favor a change towards a clear unsuitable pattern. In order to highlight the importance of earth construction, this paper focuses on its environmental benefits. This paper also includes an overview of its economic issues, non-renewable resource consumption, waste generation and energy consumption. Finally some future trends to review thermal properties of earthen construction are also proposed.