Compressed Earth Bricks House

Location: Zaghouan, Tunisia
Project Duration: 2021
Status: Completed

Project Summary

The lockdown period in 2021 provided a unique opportunity to explore new construction models, particularly those involving Compressed Earth Bricks (CEB). With the acquisition of a CEB machine and the availability of quality soil suitable for rammed earth, we embarked on the production of 3000 bricks.

This construction process began with the careful preparation of the soil, followed by its compression in the CEB machine to form solid and durable bricks. This ancient technique, combined with modern methods, allowed us to create a construction material that is both robust and environmentally friendly.

A year later, the 3000 manufactured bricks were used to erect a 5 by 12-meter structure. The assembly of these bricks resulted in a solid and stable structure, providing both comfort and durability. To further enhance the construction’s strength and provide it with an aesthetic finish, an industrial lime-based coating was applied across the surface.

This house made of compressed earth bricks embodies not only an environmentally friendly approach to construction, utilizing local and sustainable materials, but also demonstrates our ability to innovate and adapt our practices in response to contemporary challenges. By transforming an abundant natural resource into a functional and aesthetic habitat, we have not only built a house but also a symbol of resilience and creativity in the face of adversity.