I spent a week in Dec 2019 at the Earth Institute in Auroville participating in the intensive arches, vaults and domes course. It was a dream of mine to do and one of the first things that took me to India in 2017. I was glad to finally do it! The Earth Institute have been pioneers in building these masonry structures using stabilised compressed earth blocks. I particularly enjoyed the theory and calculating loads intuitively through drawing (graphical analysis) as opposed to using formulas and playing around with the mini blocks was a lot of fun too.
The creative potential behind these stabilised earth bricks is monumental, as is the economic and environmental factors when comparing to contemporary construction methods. Far less cement is used when compared to brick and mortar construction and post and beam structures. I see huge potential in localised manufacture and distribution of blocks as a means in creating quality low-cost, ecologically-minded architecture, whilst building local economies and creating decentralised jobs. The use of cement in these blocks is still, from an ecological perspective, questionable, but in times of transition this technology has potential to, in my eyes, do more good than harm at a speed that can alleviate suffering around the world.
