Earth Architecture Research Articles

Earth architecture as cultural heritage: the impact of the collapse of the Fundão dam

Earth architecture as cultural heritage: the impact of the collapse of the Fundão dam

A uniform basement: Implications for the tectonics of Beishan Orogenic Belt in the southern Central Asian Orogenic Belt

The orogen is a significant window for studying the history and architecture of Earth; its architecture involves many significant issues. Currently, research on the architecture of orogenic belts mainly focuses on the process of orogeny, and few studies focus on the tectonics before the orogeny, which somewhat constrains orogen evolution. The nature of the basement(s) of microcontinents in the Beishan Orogenic Belt (BOB) in the middle Central Asian Orogenic Belt (CAOB) has been debated for a long time, which causes confusion about the tectonics of the BOB. This study conducted field surveys, geochronology, geochemistry, and Hf isotope analysis on the major microcontinents of BOB. The age information of ca. 1.4 Ga and the Paleoproterozoic-Archean with small scale were found in the northern BOB. The northern BOB (NBOB) and southern BOB (SBOB) (separated by the Hongliuhe-Niujuanzi-Xichangjing ophiolitic mélange belt) have experienced similar magmatic thermal events at ca. 1.4 Ga and ca. 0.9 Ga, which are revealed by the analogical tectonic setting, formation ages, and Hf isotopic features. The Precambrian basements of the NBOB and SBOB are analogous in terms of rock assemblages, detrital zircon ages, magmatic rock ages, εHf(t) of Precambrian rocks, and Hf crustal model ages TDMC of Paleozoic igneous rocks, which imply that they shared similar history and provenance and might originate from a uniform basement. The basement has no close tectonic affinity to the adjacent cratons or blocks, except the Baltica Craton and Laurentia Craton. And it might have been involved in the amalgamation of the Columbia Supercontinent and be situated on the periphery of the Rodinia Supercontinent, and then fragmented when the Rodinia Supercontinent rifted apart.

Research on the non-use value of rammed earth buildings in Shaxi Ancient Town based on CVM

Architectural cultural heritage not only enriches the cultural landscape but also drives economic activity, although its value is often underestimated by the market. This article uses the rammed earth buildings of Shaxi Ancient Town as a case study, quantifying their non-use value through the contingent valuation method, and explores factors influencing public willingness to pay using correlation analysis and binary logistic regression models. The results show that respondents have a high support rate (72.9%) and willingness to pay (26.23 RMB per person) for the conservation and development of rammed earth buildings. The total non-use value reached approximately 29.79 million RMB, demonstrating the significant economic potential of these structures as architectural heritage. This provides critical insights for the conservation and development of rammed earth architecture in China and calls for enhanced recognition and protection efforts from all sectors of society.

The State of the Art in Digital Construction of Clay Buildings: Reviews of Existing Practices and Recommendations for Future Development

Under the trend of digitization and global carbon reductions, clay construction has increasingly attracted attention due to advantages such as an excellent thermal performance, low carbon emissions, and high cost-effectiveness. In this article, an in-depth investigation is conducted into the potential, challenges, and future in the development of digital manufacturing technologies for clay architecture, especially 3D printing, robotic construction, and prefabrication systems. It is revealed through a review that digital clay construction is under rapid development and likely to provide a viable solution to achieving global carbon neutrality, which is conducive to addressing various regional issues. The key findings from this review are as follows. Firstly, as a flexible, precise, and low-carbon industrial solution, 3D printing lays a foundation for the extensive research on materials, equipment, and algorithm optimization. Secondly, the use of machine construction methods such as modern rammed earth technology and drone spraying is effective in improving efficiency and lowering costs. Lastly, the prefabricated building system shows its potential in renewing and developing the rammed earth architecture culture. These findings indicate a massive potential of digital clay construction to support sustainability efforts in the future.

Rediscovering raw earth heritage of Champagne area (France): Cartography and typology of a specific adobe vernacular architecture

The building sector has a strong impact on the environment in terms of pollution, through its carbon footprint and waste generation. In this context, raw earth construction is experiencing a revival of interest in its ability to use a local, reusable, and low environmental impact material. Vernacular architecture reflects the evolution of particular know-how, which has been able to adapt to specific factors linked to a nearby environment. Champagne area is one of the last uninvestigated earth heritage territories in France, whereas it presents an original and rich rural, urban, and industrial earth architecture. To cartography raw earth heritage in the studied area and its surroundings, the various buildings and construction practices observed in the field were geolocated on a digital tablet using QGIS software. This work completes the partial inventory that had been started on Champagne territory and reveals local variations and other uses of raw earth never described in the national survey maps of earthen construction techniques. The presence of the adobe heritage corresponds quite well to the area of the chalky Champagne. We notice two different types of boundaries. A first type where adobe architectures are directly replaced by other building materials, and a second type where adobes are combined with and then replaced by other earth construction techniques (cob, wattle and daub). This reveals a dialogue between different constructive cultures. This survey seems to show a certain coherence as to the presence of adobes in the constructions regarding the geological substratum. Our work will allow to characterize the earth used, to valorize the excavated earth in this territory, as well as to raise awareness and promote local raw earth architecture. In addition, the discovery of the use of cob in the Seine valley reveals the richness of this heritage in this geographical sector.

Adaptability of space habitats using the Rhythmic Buildings strategy

Space habitats, facing extreme conditions in space and on other planetary bodies, should have redundancy and versatility. Although the main challenges in the field have been identified as changes in gravity, radiation protection, extreme temperatures (fluctuations), changes in daylight patterns, and lack of (or less) atmosphere, more (unknown) challenges will inevitably emerge. Therefore, space habitats should extend beyond redundancy and adapt to their surroundings. There are many adaptability strategies for terrestrial habitats but none of these strategies were developed to work in the extreme conditions of outer space. This paper proposes application of a novel adaptability strategy, the Rhythmic Buildings strategy, which aims to develop buildings that adapt to the rhythms of the building's context (frequency, speed, and intensity of changes occurring on the case study location).The strategy is applied to the case study of a Martian habitat at Jezero Crater. The Rhythmic Buildings strategy includes the Rhythmic Framework and its 33 parameters (such as daylight and outdoor temperature) as well as analytical, technical, and design tools – collectively the Rhythmic Toolbox. First, the Framework tool was used to map the changes in the context following the environmental, economy, and society aspects. The rhythms of the case study context include local temperature, pressure, solar radiation, strong weather events (i.e. storms), but also comfort needs of the crew. These rhythms were then translated into a habitat design using an adapted version of the bubble diagram method.Lastly, novel technologies and materials were selected to address the rhythms which includes adaptive properties of materials. Results of the study show that the context's most important challenges are the daily temperature fluctuations and weekly crew schedule, while the most promising adaptability opportunity lies in the daily daylight rhythm. The design that followed the Rhythmic Buildings strategy directly addresses nine out of the 33 parameters and indirectly addresses a further five parameters. The proposed Martian habitat utilises the rhythms of daily temperature cycles and the 24 h daylight rhythm to reinforce the materials structures. The habitat is adaptive and responsive to its surroundings and the crew's needs. In the discussion, speculations are made on how space architecture can develop itself by intrinsically adapting to the rhythms of the environment and evolve into their own typologies, distinctly different than Earth architecture.

Study on the uniaxial compression constitutive relationship of modified yellow mud from minority dwelling in western Sichuan, China

Abstract More than 2 billion people around the world still use raw earth architecture, in countries like Nepal, India, and Iran. In China, the proportion of people living in earthen structures rose to 36%, some of them in western Sichuan. Minority dwellings in western Sichuan, China, use local stone and yellow mud as building materials and have been used for thousands of years. Because yellow mud is a brittle material with poor mechanical properties, and because the region is prone to earthquakes, the walls are highly susceptible to damage under seismic action. To improve the mechanical properties of yellow mud, the yellow mud of Taoping Qiang Village in western Sichuan was studied and modified. Uniaxial compressive tests were conducted on the modified specimens, and the existing ontogenetic equations of raw soil-based materials were analyzed and optimized. Finally, we developed the constitutive models for yellow clay and modified yellow clay in the western Sichuan area, which can be used for different kinds of modified materials through the variation of parameters. The results show that the compressive strength of yellow clay is improved by adding the modified materials. The optimized constitutive model can better fit the test curves, which can provide a basis for theoretical calculations and seismic mitigation of minority residential structures in western Sichuan or similar structural systems.

Comparative study of pre-Hispanic and colonial adobes in Mexico. Preliminary inferences on the effects of the granulometric distribution and used recycled materials in the state conservation of earth architecture

The characterization of the pre-Hispanic and colonial adobes used in the construction of buildings in Mexico was carried out to know the differences between their processes and manufactures. The eight samples obtained correspond to adobe blocks 0.45 m long x 0.35 m wide and 0.12 m thick, which were part of the interiors of houses, the structure of fences, and hacienda galleys. These samples were investigated using X-ray Diffraction, X-ray Fluorescence, and Scanning Electron Microscopy techniques to determine the morphometry of the material and its chemical and mineralogical composition. Likewise, some analyzes were performed to determine their mechanical properties (simple compressive strength), physical properties (granulometry, solid density, cohesion, plasticity index, porosity, and moisture content), and biological (organic matter content). The results obtained in terms of the granulometric distribution indicate that pre-Hispanic adobe has a higher content of sand than silt-clay and gravel, while the colonial adobes present a low or null content of gravel with a higher content of silt-clays. Regarding the organic matter content, the colonial adobe presents the highest percentages compared to those of the pre-Hispanic adobes. Taking into account the above the pre-Hispanic adobes have better resistance and durability than colonial adobes due to their granulometric distribution, low organic matter content, good cohesion, high plasticity index, and the use of materials found in their natural environment, while the colonial used recycled materials, coming from the economic activity to which the hacienda was dedicated, for example, agriculture, mining, livestock, this has given rise to different manufacturing techniques and construction styles that reflect the state of conservation of buildings throughout the pre-Hispanic and colonial times. The granulometric distribution that pre-Hispanic adobe provides favorable physical and mechanical qualities for any construction technique, so it is recommended to use this formula to manufacture resistant and durable adobe.

Adobe Constructions in Albania: Future Application of Earth as A Conventional Construction Material

In primitive societies, houses were built using local materials. In Albania, the highlands often used stone whereas the lowlands and valleys, particularly those close to the coast, were more likely to employ adobe and bricks. In the coastal plain, due to the shortage of stone sources and the ease of accessing mud material nearby, mud bricks were largely used both for urban and rural buildings. Most of the earth architecture in Albania dates back to the Ottoman era. Other structures made of mud bricks were built up to the early 1990s. The majority of them have been demolished, abandoned, and fallen into ruin. Nowadays, traditional adobe building techniques are vanishing, because they are no longer used in modern constructions. Examining the theoretical foundations and structural components of Albania's traditional earthen architecture is the main goal of this study. The classification of earth architecture techniques used in various traditional building typologies is achieved by examining the spatial distribution of housing typologies, the structural components, and construction systems in different geographical locations. This study reports an assessment that is based on extensive in-situ research, including field survey, archival research, comprehensive pictures, recording of various adobe building types in Albania, and a literature review. Based on the collected data and critical assessments, this study intends to offer and document various earthen building typologies in Albania according to their spatial distribution in the plan, volume, construction methods, and material combinations. This knowledge may be subsequently utilized as vital information for new vernacular buildings or temporary structures. It aims to provide specific architectural principles and technical criteria for the use of earth in new structures or restoration of existing historical buildings. This study serves as a starting point for further research with the aim of producing an easy-to-follow guide with plans for earthen buildings, from little dwellings to larger ones, by employing several case studies across Albania. Due to the historical, social, and cultural significance of adobe architecture in Albania as well as its advantages in terms of the economy and environment, revitalizing, restoring, and preserving adobe architecture by improving its construction conditions can be an added value for sustainable future development.

Remote sensing to assess the risk for cultural heritage: forecasting potential collapses due to rainfall in historic fortifications

PurposeHeavy rainfall is one of the main causes of the degradation of historic rammed Earth architecture. For this reason, ensuring the conservation thereof entails understanding the factors involved in these risk situations. The purpose of this study is to research three past events in which rainfall caused damage and collapse to historic rammed Earth fortifications in Andalusia in order to analyse whether it is possible to prevent similar situations from occurring in the future.Design/methodology/approachThe three case studies analysed are located in the south of Spain and occurred between 2017 and 2021. The hazard presented by rainfall within this context has been obtained from Art-Risk 3.0 (Registration No. 201999906530090). The vulnerability of the structures has been assessed with the Art-Risk 1 model. To characterise the strength, duration, and intensity of precipitation events, a workflow for the statistical use of GPM and GSMaP satellite resources has been designed, validated, and tested. The strength of the winds has been evaluated from data from ground-based weather stations.FindingsGSMaP precipitation data is very similar to data from ground-based weather stations. Regarding the three risk events analysed, although they occurred in areas with a torrential rainfall hazard, the damage was caused by non-intense rainfall that did not exceed 5 mm/hour. The continuation of the rainfall for several days and the poor state of conservation of the walls seem to be the factors that triggered the collapses that fundamentally affected the restoration mortars.Originality/valueA workflow applied to vulnerability and hazard analysis is presented, which validates the large-scale use of satellite images for past and present monitoring of heritage structure risk situations due to rain.

Investigation and Analysis of Sustainability of New Seismic Rammed Earth Buildings in Jinning County, Yunnan Province

With the promotion of “green building” and the concept of sustainable development, rammed earth architecture is receiving increasing attention. In this study, a practical study was conducted to critically assess whether the new rammed earth buildings in Dabaiyi Village, a demonstration site in Jinning County, Yunnan Province, whether meet the needs of local residents, whether they are environmental friendly and have good sustainability. The survey found that the modern rammed earth architecture in Jinning County is sustainable, even though it has deficiencies in team building, owner communication and floor plan layout.

MOISTURE RESISTANCE OF EARTHEN COATINGS STABILIZED WITH GLYCEROL

One of the fundamental components of earth architecture is its coatings because they protect structures from atmospheric and anthropic agents. However, due to the hygroscopic nature of the earth, the plasters are highly vulnerable to rain and groundwater absorption. To deal with these agents of decay, experts and artisans have tested with different stabilizing substances throughout history. This article reviews a series of experiments based on verifying the use of small glycerol fractions to increase the durability and resistance of the earth coatings. Glycerol is a byproduct of various industrial processes, such as the production of biodiesel. Recently, there has been a significant increase in its production, making it a viable resource to consolidate and protect both historical building components and contemporary buildings. We analyzed comparatively mortars of natural earth, and others stabilized with glycerol to verify the cohesiveness, quantity of water required, and drying time. Subsequently, we performed flat tests and plasters applied on walls to undergo capillary absorption conditions and rain impact. An increase in the cohesiveness of the mortars added with glycerol of 12%, decreases the amount of water required for the mixtures by 18% and the drying time rises by almost 7 hours. The stabilized specimens absorbed 26% less water by capillarity, and the exposed coatings to weather conditions maintain their integrity after eight months of staying outdoors. Earthen mortars that were enriched with small volumes of glycerol developed a highly positive response to these factors, which are the most likely to provoke the earth plasters and the structures they protect. It is possible to have a material that improves the mixtures of soil and is sustainable from an economic, ecological, and cultural point of view.

Earth to Earth: Patterns of Environmental Decay Affecting Modern Pisé Walls

Rammed earth/pisé is an earth building technique with a deep history in several countries across the globe. In the past twenty years, pisé buildings have seen a resurgence in popularity, primarily because of their environmentally friendly, passive energy characteristics, but also due to the aesthetic appeal of the fabric. As with all other earth architecture, pisé is susceptible to decay by moisture ingress. This paper presents longitudinal observations on the decay of capped and uncapped pisé walls of an early twenty-first-century complex of four buildings in Albury (NSW, Australia). It can be shown that while surface treatment with water-repellent sealants prevents the ingress of penetrating damp, it also traps moisture (falling damp) in the fabric by restricting evaporation. This leads to internal cleavage between the consolidated and the unconsolidated fabric and accelerates the decay of uncapped walls. The future design of both stabilized and unstabilized external rammed earth walls must ensure effective protection from rainfall through well-proportioned overhanging eaves. While the capping of feature walls may be aesthetically pleasing, and thus architecturally desirable, it does not adequately protect the walling against long-term decay.

Comprehensive LiDAR simulation with efficient physically-based DART-Lux model (I): Theory, novelty, and consistency validation

Light Detection And Ranging (LiDAR) remote sensing is increasingly needed to assess the 3D architecture of Earth's surface. Physically-based LiDAR radiative transfer (RT) models are essential tools for interpreting LiDAR signals, designing LiDAR systems, and validating information retrieval methods. Discrete Anisotropic Radiative Transfer (DART) is one of the most accurate and comprehensive 3D RT models that simulate LiDAR signals of urban and natural landscapes. Its physical modeling relies on a forward Monte Carlo mode optimized by a ray-tracking technique, also called DART-RC (Ray Carlo) mode. However, DART-RC is not adapted to simulate massive LiDAR signals of large landscapes due to its constraints of high memory demand and long computational time. Therefore, we developed a novel computationally efficient LiDAR modeling method based on a new DART modeling mode called DART-Lux. It simulates LiDAR signal by adapting the bidirectional path tracing algorithm of DART-Lux to the time and power measurements and by implementing the LiDAR instrument and multiple product outputs in DART-Lux. We verified the accuracy of DART-Lux for LiDAR modeling using DART-RC as a reference for several case studies with different LiDAR configurations (i.e., single-pulse waveform, multi-pulse point cloud, multi-pulse photon counting, with and without solar signal) on realistic scenes from the RAMI experiment. Results stress that i) DART-Lux is consistent with DART-RC, for example, R2 = 1 and rRMSE = 0.21% for the waveform of a forest simulated with a huge number of rays; ii) DART-Lux converges faster than DART-RC: its processing time is usually about half that of DART-RC, and over ten times smaller if the solar signal is simulated; iii) DART-Lux memory usage can be a hundred times less than DART-RC. Also, several sensitivity studies with various sensor configurations and solar directions illustrate the usefulness of DART-Lux for impact studies. This new DART-Lux LiDAR model opens promising perspectives for large-scale LiDAR applications with 3D modeling. It is already part of the official DART version freely available to scientists (https://dart.omp.eu).

TYPES OF FLAT EARTHEN ROOFS USED IN VERNACULAR ANATOLIAN ARCHITECTURE AND THEIR PRESERVATION PROBLEMS

ABSTRACT Earthen materials and rammed earth architecture concepts are becoming more and more popular among architects due to their applicability in various climates and low-cost construction technique. However, the use of flat earthen roofs in today’s architecture is rare, although there is historical evidence for the vernacular use of earthen materials in roof assemblies. The first examples for vernacular earthen flat roofs are found in Anatolia, Catalhoyuk. Flat earthen roofs used in vernacular, Anatolian buildings should be studied because a lack of maintenance has resulted in these vernacular Anatolian earthen buildings being on the verge of extinction today. There is a lack of literature research about the construction materials and techniques used in this traditional construction process. The aim of this study is to compile and present the knowledge behind this traditional flat earthen roof technique. In this study, initially, the flat earthen roofs used in vernacular Anatolian Architecture are analyzed via an extensive literature review. It has been found that in different districts of Anatolia, different types of vernacular flat earthen roofs together with different material layers and construction techniques exist. Site studies were carried out in Kemaliye.* During these site studies, six flat earthen roofs present in Kemaliye and in neighboring towns constructed via traditional construction techniques were analyzed and interviews were carried out with seven local foremen. Then, based on the information gathered, these traditional flat earthen roofs were classified into four types according to their material layers and construction techniques. Finally, preservation problems for flat earthen roofs are discussed.

TYPES OF FLAT EARTHEN ROOFS USED IN VERNACULAR ANATOLIAN ARCHITECTURE AND THEIR PRESERVATION PROBLEMS

ABSTRACT Earthen materials and rammed earth architecture concepts are becoming more and more popular among architects due to their applicability in various climates and low-cost construction technique. However, the use of flat earthen roofs in today’s architecture is rare, although there is historical evidence for the vernacular use of earthen materials in roof assemblies. The first examples for vernacular earthen flat roofs are found in Anatolia, Catalhoyuk. Flat earthen roofs used in vernacular, Anatolian buildings should be studied because a lack of maintenance has resulted in these vernacular Anatolian earthen buildings being on the verge of extinction today. There is a lack of literature research about the construction materials and techniques used in this traditional construction process. The aim of this study is to compile and present the knowledge behind this traditional flat earthen roof technique. In this study, initially, the flat earthen roofs used in vernacular Anatolian Architecture are analyzed via an extensive literature review. It has been found that in different districts of Anatolia, different types of vernacular flat earthen roofs together with different material layers and construction techniques exist. Site studies were carried out in Kemaliye.* During these site studies, six flat earthen roofs present in Kemaliye and in neighboring towns constructed via traditional construction techniques were analyzed and interviews were carried out with seven local foremen. Then, based on the information gathered, these traditional flat earthen roofs were classified into four types according to their material layers and construction techniques. Finally, preservation problems for flat earthen roofs are discussed.

Characterization of materials used for earth architecture in Eastern Croatia

Even though earthen architecture is recognized as cultural heritage in Croatia, most of existing buildings are in deteriorated and heavily damaged state. Until today, there has been no conducted research on earthen architecture in Croatia, nor was any preservation act proclaimed. Therefore, the purpose of this research is to learn more about behaviour of traditional earthen architecture to highlight the importance of sustainable building. For that purpose, earthen houses in Eastern Croatia, mainly Slavonia and Baranja area, were studied and in-situ samples were collected. In order to learn about characteristics and composition of mixtures, five samples were tested. Results gathered within this research will be the first step towards creation of national standard for designing rammed earth structures. In scope of future research, authors are planning to use verified recipe in making of walls that will be tested for seismic resistance.

A geoarchaeological study of the large Early Bronze Age Essentuksky 1 kurgan in Ciscaucasia, Russia

AbstractA geoarchaeological study of the large Essentuksky 1 kurgan in the Stavropol region of Russia analyzed the chemical composition and micromorphological features of the kurgan's earthen materials and established their relationships with buried soils in the context of previously conducted paleoclimatic reconstructions. The kurgan was 5.5–6.0 m high and more than 60 m in diameter, and consisted of four earthen and three stone constructions. It was built in the second quarter of the 4th millennium BC (the Early Maykop culture) using a precise plan and utilizing the building skills and technologies available at that time. The earthen constructions consisted of alternating layers of dark‐colored slightly compacted humified and pale‐colored dense carbonate‐rich materials, which, in the moist state, were rammed down by ancient builders. These materials were sourced mainly from local soils and contained admixtures of river silt and, at the final stage of building, dung. The physicochemical properties of the earthen constructions as well as the paleosols buried under them are indicative of a short‐term aridization of the climate within the period of building. A gleyed earth with strong iron staining at the kurgan's base and mortar that held the stone constructions was produced by thoroughly mixing and compacting in a wet state, indicating that they were special construction materials. This kurgan is an example of the ancient earth architecture in the steppe zone of Russia over 5500 years ago.

The [dis]position of Albanian Adobe Constructions. The potential of earth as a traditional building material in the future

In traditional societies, building construction was related with local materials available in situ. In Albania, traditional architecture is especially built with adobe in the lowest areas, especially near the coast and with stone especially in the mountains. The scarce resources of stone near the coast and the facility to build with mud bricks, has made possible its implementation both in urban and rural dwellings. The greatest number of adobe constructions belongs to the Ottoman period and lasted until the first decades of nineties. This paper focuses in analyzing the design principles and the constructional elements of the traditional earthen architecture in Albania. Through the documentation and study of the local traditional adobe construction systems, it would be more interesting to understand its potential use today. This paper’s analyses are based on large-scale in-situ research made with students in the framework of the restorations course at Polis university, which includes field survey, archival research, detailed photographic recording of the remaining traditional buildings mainly in central Albania and literature review of the main causes of deterioration of adobe structures. Analysis of spatial distribution of housing typologies, basic structural elements, and different construction systems influenced by the geographical position highlight specific earth architecture techniques used in different traditional building typology. Based on the collected data and critical analyses, this paper will provide some useful suggestions concerning the typology, form, and the construction techniques of traditional earth buildings, and it will guide us in finding some techniques currently used for the restoration and preservation of traditional adobe buildings and the use of new earth buildings construction in particular locations.

Circular building with raw earth: a qualitative assessment of two cases in Belgium

The built environment puts high pressure on our planet, and a great deal is related to resource extraction, material production and waste generation. In the context of circular construction, buildings must be designed and built in order to keep our natural resources in closed material loops for as long as possible. Raw earth has regained attention in the building industry as an abundant, low-impact and highly recyclable building material. However, little is known and experienced about the implementation of raw earth in circular building design. Therefore, this research offers a better understanding of the circularity of earth architecture by assessing two contemporary Belgian cases. Based on literature, semi-structured interviews and the analysis of technical documents, the circularity of the two cases is qualitatively assessed at different scales and levels. It appears that circularity is highest on the material scale and lowest on the building scale for both cases. It is also found that earth as a building material does not easily fit in existing circular assessment frameworks. This investigation represents a contribution towards the development of design support for circular building with raw earth.