Investigation of earth building and earth architecture according to interest and involvement levels in various countries

Abstract

Earth has been a tried and tested natural construction material for thousands of years, and in combination with modern methods, it can be used for modern sustainable buildings. The reason for this increase is the interest in ecologically friendly constructions. Earth architecture is a type of vernacular architecture and sustainable architecture. To date, small number of studies have been carried out into investigation of earth architecture and earth buildings. The current survey is aimed at investigation of interest levels and involvement levels of ICOMOS members of USA, Iran, Malaysia, UK, Australia and India in development of earth architecture and earth buildings. Required data have been gathered by online questionnaires which were filled by ICOMOS members of six aforementioned countries. Based on various aspects of existing researches, literature review and discussion with few senior architects and researchers, the questionnaires were completed. A comparison has been made between responses of ICOMOS members of USA, Iran, Malaysia, UK, Australia and India. Results describe a gap between interest level and involvement level of respondents in earth architecture and earth buildings.