Earthen Homes, Rammed Earth Builder

Rammed Earth Builders - From the Earth, For the Earth

Rammed Earth Feature wall at Nk'mip Interpretive Center in Osoyoos, BC

Earthen Homes is committed to building you a

beautiful, long-lasting, warm, and healthy building

using local environmentally friendly materials.

Welcome

Earthen Homes unites green building with artistry and innovation. Our buildings and structures are inspired by the earth itself; we build structures that will last for centuries and that push the edges of modern architecture. We specialize in rammed earth design and construction, as well as environmental custom cabinetry.

Our work reflects the pride of artisans and we take pleasure in producing places and spaces that are beautiful, healthy and soulful. Materials matter, we work with natural, local, and sustainable stone & wood. Our work is inspired by past and ancient intelligence about land and climate and our work is for the future, the seventh generation.

There is a peace of mind that comes from working with natural materials. We provide lasting value, inspiring lines and even silence. Rammed Earth is cool in summer, warm in winter and always quiet. We know this is the investment of a lifetime; we take your trust very seriously and commit to helping you design and build not only shelter but spaces that feel sacred.

What Is Rammed Earth?

Rammed earth is an ancient building method used by the Romans as far back as 218 B.C. This could suggest an african origin for this style of building except that it was also used extensively in the Great Wall of China.The basic concept is to take local soil ( aggregate ) and sand, mixed with a minimal amount of cement and a small percentage of water. This damp earth mix is then placed into specialty formwork and rammed either with machines or by hand. All electrical components, insulation and rebar are embeded into the wall during the ramming process. The finished walls are load bearing and have the appearance of natural layered sandstone. Earthen Homes does Soil Analysis and crush tests on all soils prior to the construction of any structure. This photo is of the soil we use in the Cowichan Valley, Vancouver Island, British Columbia.

Benefits of Building with Rammed Earth

Beauty: Build a beautiful, unique home that blends into the natural surroundings.
Durability: Stabilized Rammed Earth Homes are built to last. We use a small percent of cement to ensure your walls are as strong as stone. These walls won't wash away in the rain!!
Warmth: With R33 insulation value embedded in your walls these homes boast outstanding energy efficiency.
Great Indoor Air Quaility: Breathe deeply knowing there is no toxic materials or mould in your walls.
Enviromental Responsibility: Do your part to help offset CO2 emissions, Build Green!!
Fire Resistance: Sleep peacefully knowing your walls are totally fire resistant.
Sound Proofing: Are you building near a busy road? Are you a musician who likes to work in the studio late? Whether you want to block the outside sound from coming in or vice versa, insulated rammed earth walls do the job.

Nk'mip Interpretive Center

The Nk'mip Interpretive Center Rammed Earth feature wall is 220 feet long ,18 feet high and 2 feet thick. The center is in Osoyoos BC, Canada. The forming was constructed in 3 large continuous runs. The main window is 46 feet long and there is approx. 100,000 pounds of rammed earth suspended above it. This is the first commercial Rammed Earth project in Canada.

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Saturna Island Residence

This beautiful Rammed Limestone house is the first of its kind in North America. Located on Saturna Island BC, Solum Builders Ltd. and Earthen Homes worked together to complete this home. With cast in place limecrete lintels and beautiful sparkly limestone walls, this home will turn heads for years to come.It was a pleasure to work for such friendly and outgoing clients who I now call friends, thanks Dave and Athena!

"Tom's background in cabinet making gives him two advantages over many other rammed earth builders: he knows, and has experience with, techniques to produce a wide variety of forms, and; he has a level of “attention to detail” far beyond any other rammed earth builder we have met."

- Dave

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Garden Walls, Piers & Pavers

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Earthen Homes uses only formaldehyde-free plywood, solid wood facings and natural-oil finishes to create beautiful, 'green' custom kitchens and bathrooms.