Traditional rammed earth construction: conservation of built heritage in Mexico

• Published in: Transactions on the built environment Vol. 118; pp. 497 - 506
• Main Authors: SORIA, F. J, GUERRERO, L. F, GARCIA, A. B
• Format: Conference Proceeding Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Southampton WIT Press 2011; W I T Press
• Subjects: Applied sciences; Architecture; Bioclimatology; Building structure; Buildings; Buildings. Public works; Conservation; Construction; Construction (buildings and works); Durability. Pathology. Repairing. Maintenance; Earth structure; Environmental impact; Exact sciences and technology; Historical buildings; Rammed earth; Repair (reinforcement, strenthening); Restoration; Sustainability; Central America; Mexico; America; Historical heritage; Earth construction; Historic preservation; Environment impact; Construction materials; Building stock; Built environment; Construction technology; Adobe; Sustainable development
• ISBN: 184564526X; 9781845645267
• ISSN: 1746-4498; 1743-3509
• DOI: 10.2495/STR110411

This paper exposes some of the main features that involve rammed earth architecture, with the purpose of contributing to its promotion, conservation, and re-development. The text is centered mainly on the characterization of the traditional way of executing this building technique in México, in order to improve its technological principles and as a way of promoting its application, not only in the restoration of heritage buildings, but also as a possibility for new sustainable architectural projects. Earthen architecture, when compared with other modern building methods and techniques, has outstanding qualities from a sustainable point of view. These characteristics derive, among other aspects, from the low environmental impact involved in the extraction and transformation of the raw material, as well as its great bioclimatic properties adaptable to a wide variety of geographic contexts.