Haus Rauch

This residential building in Schlins, Austria, designed by Martin Rauch from Lehm Ton Erde has been constructed with the excavated earth from the construction site itself. Solid rammed earth walls form the building’s structure and skin. The project follows the concept of geobased local mining, through which local earth is used for construction activities.

“Rammed earth’s greatest advantage is it’s fully recyclable. A built wall can be broken down and mixed with water again to create the exact same quality building material every time. And what is not needed can be returned to the ground without treatment as it contains no chemicals. No other material can do this.”

One great advantage of rammed earth walls is that their thermal mass acts as a heat buffer, absorbing heat during the day and releasing energy during colder nights. Extreme temperature differences are prevented, which passively reduces energy consumption. Not just heat but also moisture can be stored, resulting in comfortable spaces with perfect air and humidity (55%).