Batter boards are being leveled and placed for the footings. Wide footings can support the heavy walls but also act to give seismic stability and make a bond beam unnecessary.
Steel is in place and the footings are ready for concrete.
Forming the first column.
Ramming the column.
Fidel admires the first column on the house, it is one of two at the entrance that are 12′ tall. It is wet as the forms have just been removed and will turn pink as the column dries.
Ramming one of the 12′ entrance walls on a beautiful sunny day.
A couple of 8′ rammed earth pillars with the 12′ entry walls in the background.
Making a corner wall section.
A mechanical rammed earth tamper on loose material with the isulation showing.
Ramming an infill, a window will go above this section.
Green rammed earth for the kitchen wall.
These are some of the nicest rammed earth pillars ever! A big statement yes, but true. The layering and texture of these pillars is fabulous, the picture doesn’t fully capture the feeling in real life.
After the last corner wall is completed.
The rammed earth is complete! It was an epic journey and very rewarding.