Earth-based flooring materials, including rammed earth, adobe, terracotta, and stabilized earth, utilize natural elements such as clay and sand to deliver durability and thermal regulation. These materials have transitioned from traditional construction methods into innovative architectural designs that emphasize sustainability. Their unique properties, like humidity regulation in adobe and moisture absorption in terracotta, make them ideal for both outdoor and interior applications. As architects seek to incorporate biophilic design into modern spaces, these natural materials are being refined for contemporary use, showcasing a blend of tradition and innovation in flooring solutions.
Historically, raw earth such as clay, sand, silt, and organic fibres was used in vernacular architecture due to its local availability, low cost, and thermal performance.
Rammed earth floors are made by compacting layers of soil with varying proportions of clay and sand, providing high thermal mass, durability, and a solid structural foundation.
Adobe flooring, a mixture of clay-rich soil, straw, and water, creates a breathable surface that regulates indoor humidity while offering a warm, organic aesthetic.
As sustainability and biophilic design are regaining prominence, architects have been revisiting these materials, refining them for contemporary applications and different setups.
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