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Let's understand Earth Houses

A Mud (or Earth) House is ...

  1. A natural dwelling made of Earth (Clay, Sand, Silt, Gravel etc), Slaked lime, Straw, Stone, Wood, Bamboo, Cowdung, etc.

  2. Breathable, Nontoxic, Fireproof, Termite-proof, Earth-quake resistant, and Structurally Sound

  3. Cool in summers and warm in winters. Is health positive


The usual practice is to use the local sub-soil (earth / mud) of the specific site, to build the house. Based on the local sub soil conditions (as analysed through soil testing), we use multiple of these earth-construction methods: Cob, Adobe, Rammed Earth, Wattle & Daub, Poured Earth, CSEB (Compressed Stabilised Earth Blocks), Straw Bales, etc.

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Earth Houses are the real thing, the real dwelling. Prior to invention of cement and steel, for ages, man has constructed numerous forts, houses, palaces, roads, bridges etc., mainly with locally available natural materials. Mud, Stones, Clay, Wood, Lime etc. Most of such well designed and well built constructions still stand tall and strong.

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How much will it cost me ... ?

How much will it cost me to build one ... ?

  1. Earth construction by default is low cost, sustainable and with minimum carbon foot print. Usually the building will be carbon negative, if built properly

  2. In addition to the usual factors, cost of constructing earth-houses depends on local conditions, availability of required natural materials within 5~10 kms radius, sub-soil volume and clay content etc.

  3. For ease of understanding - we can say that we can have three broad categories of costs, depending on the design, material and finishes

  4. Category A, Higher than conventional construction costs. Aesthetic elements, elaborate designs and finishes, flat hard roofs, rainwater harvesting, gray water recycling etc.

  5. Category B: Medium to high costs. A mix of ‘Earth-construction and Conventional-construction’. Cement and Steel for structurals. Natural materials in walls and floors.

  6. Category C, Low cost and Functional: Simple, functional and frugal design, thatched roof, fixed earth-furniture

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