Course detail

Earthen Architecture

FA-HLS-KEAcad. year: 2021/2022

The course acquaints students with the issue of using earthen building material for load-bearing and non-load-bearing structures in historical and modern buildings. The course includes information about the earthen buildings development, properties, raw material sources and forms of use. An important part is also the ecological assessment of earth in terms of recycling, carbon footprint and the possibility of reconstruction or remediation. Teaching is divided into theoretical and practical part. An integral part of teaching is excursion (field trip), practical classes in the laboratory and field training.
In the study programmes “Architecture and Urban Design” the course is part of the technical courses.

Language of instruction

English

Number of ECTS credits

3

Mode of study

Not applicable.

Department

Department of Engineering (US)

Offered to foreign students

The home faculty only

Learning outcomes of the course unit

- Student get an overview of significant earthen buildings in CR and abroad, their age and location.
- Student will understand the specifics of earthen building material (properties and their optimal use in buildings).
- Student will be able to identify suitable earth for construction purposes based on their characteristics and performance of simple field tests.
- Student will be able to distinguish basic earthen structures and surfaces, including their regional and structural specifics.
- Student will be able to choose the optimal approach in the context of rebuilding and reconstruction of earthen buildings including ways of recycling construction materials.
- Student learn basic practical procedures for processing earthen building material including basic craft skills.
- Student will be able to formulate the advantages and procedure how to eliminate the disadvantages of earthen building material to meet the requirements of building industry in the present and future.

Prerequisites

Not applicable.

Co-requisites

Not applicable.

Planned learning activities and teaching methods

The course consists of lectures that present the main theoretical knowledge about earthen building material. After the basic information and assignment of the seminar work, one practical class in the laboratory follows. This is followed by the development of theoretical information on specific construction techniques and structures. Then, as part of field training, there will be a practical acquaintance with the course of earthen building construction and try out the processing of earthen building material and craft techniques. Experience from practical class in the laboratory and field training will be included in the seminar work.

Assesment methods and criteria linked to learning outcomes

Credit test, elaboration of seminar work and work with earthen building material during field training is evaluated. Seminar work consist 50% of whole evaluation, credit test 30% and work with clay building materials during field training 20%. The deadlines for submission and elaboration of the test are determined by the teacher in the form of a written assignment at the beginning of the semester and are binding.

Course curriculum

Course syllabus:
  1. Earthen buildings development
  2. Raw materials – types, mining, processing
  3. Tests of earthen building material
  4. Practical classes in the laboratory – tests of earthen building material suitability for construction purposes, tests of earthen samples
  5. Ways of using earthen building material in constructions
  6. Elements with the use of earthen building material
  7. Structures using earthen building material
  8. Earthen structures during building use
  9. Rehabilitation of earthen buildings
  10. Earthen building materials recycling, reuse
  11. Excursion (field trip) – practical demonstration of buildings / technologies, including expert commentary
  12. Interaction of earthen building material with other natural materials
  13. The use of earthen building material in the present and future prospects. Discussion of seminar works

Work placements

Not applicable.

Aims

The aim of the course is theoretical and practical understanding of the specifics of earthen building materials. This includes knowledge about significant buildings, understanding of the properties of earthen building material and forms of its use in load-bearing and non-load bearing parts of buildings. The aim is to demonstrate the effective earthen buildings and also draw attention to the mistakes to avoid. The aim is also to stimulate creative and critical thinking during physical contact with the earthen building material within the practical part of the course.

Specification of controlled education, way of implementation and compensation for absences

Student must attend 50% of lectures, 100% of practical class in the laboratory and 60% of field training. During the semester, student continuously completes at least 3 consultations of the seminar work. Missed participation in practical teaching in the laboratory and teaching in the field cannot be replaced, but it can be excused for serious reasons. Replacement of compulsory attendance at lectures is solved individually by prior agreement with the lecturer.

Recommended optional programme components

Not applicable.

Prerequisites and corequisites

Not applicable.

Basic literature

MINKE, Gernot. Building with Earth. Design and Technology of a Sustainable Architecture. Basel: Birkhäuser, 2006. ISBN 978-3-7643-7477-8. (EN)
SCHROEDER, Horst. Sustainable Building with Earth. Zurich: Springer. 2016. ISBN 978-3319194905. (EN)
MINKE, Gernot. Earth Construction Handbook. The Building Material Earth in Modern Architecture. Michigan: WIT Press, 2000. ISBN 9781853128059. (EN)
ACT ECO learning platform. Earth Building Techniques (online). URL: http://acteco.eu/?catid=41 (EN)
Rammed Earth Consulting CIC. UK guideline Appendix A, B, C (online). URL: http://rammedearthconsulting.com/rammed-earth-library.htm (EN)
SCHROEDER, Horst. Lehmbau. Mit Lehm ökologisch planen und bauen. Zurich: Springer Vieweg, 2019. ISBN 978-3-658-23120-0. (EN)

Recommended reading

Not applicable.

Classification of course in study plans

  • Programme ARCHURB Bachelor's

    branch ARCH , 1. year of study, summer semester, elective

  • Programme BX_A+U Bachelor's, 1. year of study, summer semester, elective

  • Programme ARCHURB Bachelor's

    branch ARCH , 3. year of study, summer semester, compulsory-optional

  • Programme ARCHURB Master's

    branch ARCH , 1. year of study, summer semester, elective

  • Programme N_A+U Master's, 1. year of study, summer semester, compulsory-optional
  • Programme NE_A+U Master's, 1. year of study, summer semester, compulsory-optional
  • Programme NX_A+U Master's, 1. year of study, summer semester, elective

  • Programme ARCHURB Master's

    branch ARCH , 1. year of study, summer semester, compulsory-optional

Type of course unit

 

Lecture

26 hours, optionally

Teacher / Lecturer

Field training

24 hours, compulsory

Teacher / Lecturer

Field trip

2 hours, optionally

Teacher / Lecturer

Exercise

2 hours, optionally

Teacher / Lecturer