1. Alternative Construction Construction Technology

2. Alternative Techniques Adobe Construction Rammed Earth Pneumatic Structures Straw and Clay Construction Earth Ship Construction Cob Construction

3. Rammed Earth Construction

4. Rammed Earth Earth Pressed Blocks Extremely stable  Each block can hold over 1000 lbs per sq. in.  Can withstand winds over 140 mph. Made quickly and easily at the site  Machines are brought to the site. Natural and Safe Non-toxic No off-gasing

5. Rammed Earth Other Features Energy Efficiency  Absorbs suns heat In the winter, it keeps the heat inside. In the summer, it keeps the excess heat in the walls. Long Lasting  The are buildings still standing that are hundreds of years old. Low Maintenance  Virtually no maintenance

6. Rammed Earth Fast Can make 10 blocks per minute 600 blocks an hour. Can be stacked immediately No drying time Cheap About six cents a block Dirt is free and available at the site. Only paying for energy to make the blocks and labor Simple: unskilled workers can do it.

7. Rammed Earth Earth Press Machine John Deere – Diesel Powered 20 – 60 thousand dollars

8. Earthship Construction

9. Natural and recycled materials Solar Power Thermal Mass Construction Integrated water systems Few or no utility bills

10. Earthship Construction Natural and Recycled Materials Everything is recycled or natural  Tires, aluminum, wood, plastic, etc. Thermal Mass Construction During the day, the heat is attracted to the cold materials. During the night when the rest of the house cools, those materials are now warmer, and they release the heat.

11. Earthship Construction Grey Water Systems Water from sinks and showers are recycled in the greenhouse. Composting Toilets Human waste is turned to fluffy material that can be used as fertilizer. Integrated Water Systems Rain Water Catchment A cistern catches rainwater, which is filtered and used in the house.

12. Rainwater Catchment System

13. Composting Toilets

14. Cob Structures

15. Cob Construction Clay, straw, and Sand Clay holds the mixture together Straw reinforces the mixture Sand hardens the mixture. Mixed by foot or with a cement mixer

16. Cob Construction Won ’ t Catch on Fire Can withstand earthquakes Energy Efficient Extremely Durable Environmentally Friendly Materials are readily available

17. Cob Construction Mixed into a dough like consistency, Placed onto the walls up to two foot thick Create any shape desired Like sculpting a house Very Inexpensive

18. Straw and Clay Construction

19. Straw and Clay Straw is mixed with clay and shaped into 1 foot thick blocks. They are stacked around a timber frame.

20. Straw and Clay Cheap: Readily available materials Excellent Insulation Can be spackled over Fire resistant Rodent resistant The walls can breath

21. Pneumatic Structures

22. Used for … Military purposes Relief Efforts Sporting Events Easily Transported Folds up Just set in place and inflate

23. Pneumatic Structures Usually a frame of tubes that hold air. Frame is covered with a durable material Nylon Plastic Etc.

24. Pneumatic Structures Sometimes, they are just a giant sheet of material inflated with air. You have to go through an airlock to get in, so the air doesn ’ t escape.