Tierra project – evidence of sustainability

We want this project to be a successful business model for sustainability. We will use Stabilized Insulated Rammed Earth through the expertise of Terracotta Builders in this area, to build consciousness in all the actors in the community. This is to be the emphasis of this project, so that the state of Texas can potentially become a leader in the sustainable change towards energy efficiency. We will use this ancient technology, in compliance with today's standards and current building codes, to help guarantee an environmentally rich future. This project is to prove that sustainability and the triple bottom line (people, planet, profits) can be attained.

In regards to people, we desire to prove that the Stabilized Insulated Rammed Earth wall works to maintain optimum indoor humidity, which in turn results in improved, indoor air quality. Also, Stabilized Insulated Rammed Earth walls create quiet spaces that resonate solidness, which can be perceived as an increased sense of comfort. Therefore, we wish to show that a Stabilized Insulated Rammed Earth building could lead to a happier and more productive work environment.

As for the planet, we wish to highlight the fact that Stabilized Insulated Rammed Earth construction uses fewer resources, both in construction and over the life of the building. The elimination of off-gassing alone would be a major victory, as well as the project's minimal use of traditional lumber from trees and little or no use of the traditional interior gypsum core panels faced with heavy paper on both sides.

In regards to profits, we want to demonstrate that the use of the Stabilized Insulated Rammed Earth as a heavyweight construction material, with high thermal mass, can reduce total heating and cooling energy requirements by up to 25% compared to a similar project built of typical lightweight construction materials with a low thermal mass. These energy savings can be attained by the use of the stabilized insulated rammed earth along with a passive solar design.

In conclusion, in addition to having a visually appealing and environmentally savvy interior, we want to show that the Stabilized Insulated Rammed Earth is a feasible, responsible, proven and cost-effective approach to take appropriate care of our environment. This project could be a catalyst for the construction of more Stabilized Insulated Rammed Earth buildings and even more Rammed Earth communities. This building will be a place to educate the public as tangible proof of our taking theory and proven ancient technology of the past into 21st century sustainability. This project is to be the “living proof of sustainability”.

Moreover, we wish to have the building LEED Gold certified through the United States Green Building Council, thereby requiring that the Tierra Eco and Terracotta team work together under the leadership of a LEED Administrator, with input from the Commissioning Authority, to make every effort to ensure success of the certification process.

By: Mauricio Lopez, Tierra-EcoSolutions Conscious Member