residential weekend course

rammed earth building

venue: Redfield Community, Bucks

Build your own low-impact dwelling from cheap, sustainable, easily-available materials; high- or low-tech solutions.

  • what is rammed earth - some background information
  • why build with earth - what are the benefits?
  • finding the right earth
  • choosing a formwork system
  • different construction methods
  • design detailing from damp proof course to roof plate
  • tools; what to use; how to use them; maintenance and safe handling
  • some different design approaches
  • build wall sections including corners
  • build an arch
  • build in electrical services

The course will be led by Rowland Keable of rammed earth building company Ram Cast CIC.

NB: this course doesn't cover roofing and foundations, which are covered in a separate course.

dates: see 'book online' below

more on rammed earth building

how to book:

  

if you can't open the booking form, you need Acrobat Reader - it's free
arrive:
  
Friday evening at 6.30 for dinner at 7.30
depart:
  
Sunday after lunch (served at 1.00)
directions:
  
click here for directions by bicycle, public transport and car
what to bring:
  
pen and notebook; towel; work clothes or overalls; boots / wellies (meals and bedding are provided)
NO DOGS PLEASE
let us know:
  
if you are vegan or have any food allergies, or any special needs
accommodation:
  
3-4 people sharing single-sex rooms
prices:
  
£190 high-waged; £170 waged;
£150 student / unwaged
Refundable up to two weeks prior to course (minus £30 admin fee)
No refunds for cancellations within two weeks of course
car sharing:
  
visit our car sharing forum to offer or request a lift
 

 

 

 


compacting earth with a hand rammer into formwork to create walls

 


 

 

 


this wall at the Eden Project, Cornwall was constructed of rammed earth by Ram Cast CIC

 

 

 

 

 


lighting up the rammed earth barbecue built on our course