0:00 Introduction
0:51 Kathmandu Valley Construction
1:45 Vernacular architecture of Nepal
2:06 Rammed earth construction process
6:31 Ecofriendly rammed earth
8:11 To be an inspiration

Rammed earth is a technique for constructing foundations, floors, and walls by ramming natural raw materials such as earth, chalk, lime, or gravel using a formwork. This ageold building technique is part of Nepal's vernacular architecture and is now trending again, thanks to the efforts of a few ecobuilding enthusiasts in Nepal. This is the 2nd video of the 2part series on rammed earth architecture

Basant Shrestha, Director of Strategic Cooperation, International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD) had worked on rebuilding Nepal after the devastating 2015 earthquake. During the process, he and his team at ICIMOD explored various construction options that were earthquakeresistant and less burdening to the environment. One of the options was Rammed Earth. Mr. Shrestha used this technique when he planned to build his own house in Godawari, Nepal.

This video explains why and how to build a rammed earth ecofriendly home. Narayan Acharya of Sustainable Future and architect Saurav Shrestha demonstrate the extraction of soil, preparing the earth mix, and the significance of concrete ring beams and wooden formworks.

Down to Earth is Science and Environment fortnightly published by the Society for Environmental Communication, New Delhi. We publish news and analysis on issues that deal with sustainable development, which we scan through the eyes of science and environment.

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