MATERIAL BOOK

Material Study

Rammed Earth

Rammed earth is a sustainable construction technique that involves compacting a mixture of soil, sand, gravel, and stabilizing agents like cement or lime into a frame to create solid walls. This process layers and compacts the materials to make them dense and stable, therefore I will be using this technique to provide thicker walls as the new supporting structure of my design, with the existing walls of the builidng ‘buried’ inside. The technique offers excellent thermal mass, helping regulate indoor temperatures by absorbing heat during the day and releasing it at night. Rammed earth walls also have a unique aesthetic, with natural textures and colors that provide a rustic, earthy appearance.

Concrete

A concrete ring beam will be used to help stabilize walls and evenly distribute the weight of the structure. The ring beam encircles the building just above the rammed earth walls and ties the walls together, preventing them from shifting or moving apart due to external forces like wind. The concrete ring beam is reinforced with steel rebar to enhance its strength. It also helps protect the building from settling or cracking by providing a continuous, rigid support along the edges.

Polished concrete will be used as the flooring treatment where concrete is ground and smoothed to achieve a glossy, shiny finish. Polished concrete is durable, low-maintenance, and resistant to stains.

CLT

Cross-Laminated Timber (CLT) is a sustainable building material made by layering solid wood boards at right angles and bonding them together with adhesives. This cross-lamination process gives CLT strength and stability, making it ideal for my floor for my new ‘roof’. CLT is environmentally friendly, as it is made from renewable resources, it also has a lower carbon footprint. It can be locally sourced.

I am using glulam for the posts and beams due to its strength and flexibility When used for posts, glulam can provide vertical support in a structure. The layers of wood are laminated in such a way that the grain runs parallel, making the posts capable of handling compression forces while maintaining a lightweight profile compared to other materials like steel or concrete. For beams, glulam is an excellent material for horizontal load-bearing applications, such as supporting my roof.

Glulam

Ceramic Tiles

Green ceramic tiles are being used to clad the top part of my building. They are made from the same durable materials as interior ceramic tiles but are specifically designed to withstand outdoor conditions, such as temperature fluctuations, moisture, and UV exposure. The tiles are thicker and more robust than interior tiles. Their glazed surface provides excellent protection against water, stains, and dirt.

Steel ‘fins’ are built into the concrete ring beam to provide something for my CLT deck to sit on top of.