storeys, in Croix-Rousse buildings can have up to seven storeys.

Hollow terracotta tiles usually cover Lyon’s rammed earth buildings. The frame is made
only of beams (horizontal, longitudinal, or vertical) as there are typically many shear walls
(meaning they are built with the purpose of being able to withstand forces, such as wind
and earthquakes). Walls are constructed by taking earth directly from the ground without
requiring extra water. In Lyon, walls with a mixed composition – e.g., with rubble, brick,
and pebbles – are not uncommon. Mortar connects all of the layers that form the walls.
Usually, rammed earth constructions in urban settings are coated to protect them from
moisture and improve the durability of the earth walls.

Advantages
• Mud bricks may have the least significant environmental impact of all
construction materials for multiple reasons: Image credit: Unsplash / Christian V

• They should be made only with clays and sands, no living soil.
• Although they require a lot of water to produce, they need very little energy.
• Their embodied energy is probably the lowest in comparison to other materials. This would only rise
if other ingredients, such as cement, are added, if it travels long distances, or if significant energy is
generated in the mechanical processes associated with the construction.
• Construction using mud/earth can work on a large scale. i.e., not just for single storey houses, but also
multiple storey high builds.
• Mud bricks, for example, can be used to construct loadbearing structures.
• Mud as a material has a high thermal mass meaning it can absorb, store and then release the heat again
later on. This is due to its high density.
• As a result of this, you can save money on operating costs in summer as there is less need for air
conditioning.
• The high density also means mud constructions have good acoustic insulation. Mud brick walls can
have almost the same sound insulation quality as usual masonry structures.
• Moreover, construction costs when using earth as the primary material can be kept very low. In
general, if local resources are used, mud can be a very cost-efficient option. It also depends on the
amount of wall to build, the design and the height.
• Highly fire-resistant.
• Mud bricks (or small mud units) can offer a lot of flexibility in terms of design.
• This material can store volatile organic compounds which, if otherwise released, could be harmful to
humans and the environment.
• Mud is a breathable material, offering a healthier indoor air quality. For instance, at 50% humidity (an
easily attainable level when building with earth), it is more difficult for bacteria and mould to grow
and the air is better, in particular for asthma and allergy sufferers.
• It can also be used decoratively, offering the choice of a flat or a very colourful and textured finish.
• It requires very little energy to manufacture. In fact, the only energy it needs is the sun.
• Using earth in construction also fits perfectly into circular building and the circular economy
structure we should be advocating. The bricks can just be turned back into earth once the building
reaches the end of its life.

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Disadvantages
• Mud and earth can be vulnerable to water damage and easily destroyed by wind, rain, and flooding if
not protected and maintained well enough.
• Low moisture resistance can be a breeding ground for bacteria if not looked after. This also means that
the material must be looked after and protected from the weather, in particular from driving rain. One
way to do so is by having deep-set eaves.
• Rammed earth structures in particular can stain easily.
• Mud has a low tensile strength and can come apart easily, making mud walls susceptible to rodents and
unwanted visitors.
• This also means mud roofs are difficult to construct and will usually need to be combined with another
material in order to do this.
• Therefore, mud/earth buildings require regular maintenance.
• Some mud brick recipes contain bitumen, which may release hydrocarbons. Ideally, the earth should
be used as close to its natural state as possible.
• While earth is ideal for keeping buildings cool in summer, this can prove problematic in winter. The
low thermal resistance means a lot of heat is lost through the walls as air cannot be trapped in the
structure.
• This technique requires quite a lot of work, in both construction and maintenance.

Mud in a Nutshell
Now you’ve witnessed how simple, sustainable, and accessible building with mud can be, it’s time to seriously stop and consider
whether it could be employed for your next construction project. We all need to be playing our part in constructing urban
environments in a healthier, renewable, and longer-lasting way and what could be better than using one of the many materials that
mother nature provided us with? Happy digging!

If you want to find out more about constructing with natural materials, take a look here or at some of the other natural building
materials on offer:

• Wood
• Straw
• Hemp
• Cork