fbpx
Close

Review: The Art of Earth Architecture: Past, Present, Future

Jean Dethier reveals some of the raw earth masterpieces scattered across five continents.

The Art of Earth Architecture: Past, Present, Future

by Jean Dethier
Thames & Hudson

Mankind has built palaces, temples, forts and cities with raw (unbaked) earth for almost 10,000 years. The various types of raw earth construction (including adobe and rammed earth, cob, wattle and daub) require neither industrial transformation nor high-energy consumption and do not produce CO2. Combining archaeology and history, culture and technology, The Art of Earth Architecture is part cultural revelation and part ecological manifesto, proposing an alternative to current construction methods and a substitute for cement and concrete. Surveyed are 450 raw earth masterpieces and many UNESCO World Heritage sites from 75 countries. Included are the temples and palaces of Mesopotamia and Egypt, the Great Wall of China and the Alhambra in Spain, as well as historical cities such as Shibam in Yemen, Djenné in Mali and Marrakesh. Also featured is contemporary work of pioneers such as Cointeraux, Fathy, Frank Lloyd Wright, Le Corbusier, Heringer, Rauch and Kéré, as well as Pritzker Prize laureates Wang Shu, Foster and Piano. Their eco-avant-garde achievements span luxury villas, social housing and public buildings. These inspiring works are now fuelling a cultural, ethical and ecological low-tech revolution. The book concludes with essays which argue that raw earth construction can help fight against climate deregulation. Hence, it’s a must-read.

The Latest
20 hours ago

Yin and Yang

Inspired by the natural beauty of both the Pacific Northwest and Asian design elements, this house harmoniously merges the best of two styles and cultures.

February 17, 2025
ID50 PRODUCT DESIGN

id50 2025 – Product Designers

Here are the best product designers in the MENA region.

February 17, 2025

id50 2025 – Karim+Elias

Meet Karim+Elias, one of the top product designers in the MENA region

February 17, 2025

id50 2025 – Omar Al Gurg

Meet Omar Al Gurg, Founder of Modu Method and one of the top product designers in the MENA region

February 17, 2025

id50 2025 – KAMEH

Meet KAMEH, one of the top product designers in the MENA region

February 17, 2025

id50 2025 – Aljoud Lootah

Meet Aljoud Lootah, one of the top product designers in the MENA region

February 17, 2025

id50 2025 – Nada Debs

Meet Nada Debs, one of the top product designers in the MENA region and what she is looking forward to this year.

February 14, 2025
Wall House

Wall House

This monolithic style home in Esfahan, Iran has a wall that encourages connection rather than separation

February 14, 2025

A Modern Ode to Korean Heritage

Blending traditional architecture with modern sensibilities, Seondoljung – the latest addition to the Hanok Heritage House – forges connections between the past and present

February 12, 2025
Interiors & Furniture Show in Jeddah

The First Interiors & Furniture Show Will Showcase in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia

The 3-day conference is focused on shaping the region’s design sector and will run from 18-20 February

February 11, 2025

id50 2025 – Aedas

Insights by Ignacio Gomez, Global Design Principal

February 11, 2025

id50 2025- Dewan Architects + Engineers

Insights by Ammar Al Assam, CEO