Did you know that a wall can be made entirely of earth — and still be load-bearing, durable, and almost stone-like? Rammed earth, also known as compressed earth or stamp earth, is an ancient yet rapidly growing ecological building technique in which raw earth is compacted layer by layer inside formwork using high force. The result is a monolithic wall structure where clay acts as a natural binder, and soil particles of different gradations interlock into a dense, stone-like material.
Rammed earth is already widely used across Europe. In Germany, Switzerland, and Austria, clear standards exist for its production, and it has become an established part of both research and construction practice. In Finland, rammed earth construction typically requires project-specific approval. The material is non-combustible, provides excellent acoustic performance, and helps regulate both indoor humidity and temperature, often using locally available soil. Contemporary building technology has also introduced hybrid applications, such as timber–rammed earth composite floor structures.
In this course, we explore the world of rammed earth construction in the historic setting of Fiskars Village. The course takes place at the Fiskars Circular House – an experimental environment for building techniques and materials currently under development, where Aalto University’s Wood Construction Experimental House (relocated from Otaniemi) and a straw bale garage are also located.
During the course, we will combine hands-on work with a short theoretical introduction:
– Architectural and structural applications of rammed earth
– Properties of rammed earth and selection of suitable soils
– Composition, preparation, and testing of rammed earth mixtures
– Formwork techniques and layer-by-layer compaction
Together we will construct a full-scale rammed earth wall and produce CEB (Compressed Earth Blocks). Participants may take one CEB block home if they wish.
The course is led by Johanna Hyrkäs: architect, professional clay builder, and researcher in clay construction at Aalto University.
Address: Isokiskontie 16, 10470 Fiskars