This house design speculates on the invention of a new rammed earth construction logic, tilt-up. Tilt-up, a pervasive construction logic in most building materials allows work to happen on the ground rather than on scaffolding and raised surfaces, changing labor dynamics while still working on-site. In the case of rammed earth, this means reducing production time while reducing environmental costs that come with external material extraction, processing, and transportation. In the entire history of the material system (around 11,000 years) there are no documented trials or projects employing this construction technique. Our research on tilt-up rammed earth can be accessed here.

The design and applied research project departs from and builds on recent developments in contemporary rammed earth construction. The single-family house engages our developed tilt-up assembly logic, speculating on and advancing possible spatial organization, construction, building systems, and technical details.