Earthen building techniques  
 
 
Floors
Loadbearing walls
Freestanding walls
Ceilings & roofs
Dry construction
Plastering
Elements of a building  



Earth can be used in a variety of different ways for most parts of a building from floors and ceilings to walls and roofs. The proportion of earthen building materials used varies according to situation and construction method – the term “earthen building” is therefore relative. Supporting walls can be made entirely of rammed earth or in combination with wood as a timber-frame construction.

Further information about earthen building materials and techniques can be found in the DVL brochure » Building with Earth: Consumer Information.

Choose a building element from the list in the left-hand column for more information.