I recently returned from a road trip through the Okanagan Valley in British Columbia. The Okanagan Valley is the home to a budding Wine Industry. I was pleasantly surprised with our stop in Osoyoss to visit The Nk'Mip Winery and Resort. NK’MIP Winery Resort is a four-season aboriginal tourism resort destination that features deluxe accommodation and visitor experiences including an award-winning winery, gourmet dining, desert golf, a cultural centre and full-service spa
It was a feast for my eyes to view the wall of the Cultural Center from the parking lot at Nk'Mip Winery. I was struck by the beauty of this facade that looked like a giant slab of the most sumptuous marble. On closer inspection and inquiry I was informed it was a "Rammed Earth Wall".

Rammed Earth Wall at Nk'Mip Winery and Resort
(above left) Notice how thick this wall of rammed earth is - approximately 20% thicker than standard concrete walls.
(above right) The rammed earth walls are formed in layers of approximately 6" thick , which gives this beautiful horizontal variegation resembling quarried marble.
Rammed earth, also known as pise de terre or simply pise, is a type of construction material. Pise de terre walls are an ancient building method that has seen a revival in recent years as people seek more sustainable building materials and natural building methods. Traditionally, rammed earth wall buildings or pise de terre wall buildings are common in arid regions where wood is in scarce supply.
The basic recipe for rammed earth walls starts and ends with plain old dirt.
RECIPE FOR RAMMED EARTH WALL
Soil - about 5 litres
Water - about half a litre
Cement - 10 percent
Pigment - 1 percent (about 1 tablespoon)
The mixture for rammed earth walls is compacted in layers between forms. Each layer of the rammed earth wall is approximately 6 inches deep. As each form is filled, another form is placed above it, and the process begins again. This is continued until the desired rammed earth wall height is achieved. Forms can be stripped off as soon as the form above is begun, as the compressed rammed earth wall is self-supporting immediately. Most rammed earth wall builders use pneumatic rammers to compact the earth within the forms.
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Deep inset Window detail in Rammed Earth Wall Nk'Mip Winery. My Dad and me.
Some interesting facts about Rammed Earth Walls and Rammed Earth Construction:
- Rammed earth walls are 20 percent thicker than most concrete walls so it is better insulating against heat and cold.
- Rammed earth walls improve Indoor Air Quality because of the simple finish of exposed rammed earth walls have no toxic finishes.
- Rammed earth walls are so solid that they boast superb acoustics and rank with the best in terms of fire resistance.
- Because rammed earth walls don't rely on wood the structure will never rot, nor will it be host to carpenter ants or termites.
- Rammed earth walls evolved in hot dry climates, where wood is too rare and precious to be used as a building material.
- Rammed earth walls have been the standard in house construction in Southern Europe and the Middle East since biblical times.
Great Wall of China - Rammed Earth Wall construction - None other than the Great Wall of China, or at least most of it was built of rammed earth wall construction.
Does anyone know why it is called Rammed Earth?
Rammed Earth Wall Construction in Residential Bathroom with a Stump window made from base of tree that was growing on the house site.
Iron oxide layers have been added to this rammed earth wall in sedimentary layers with inset of abalone.
Above 2 photos Terra Firma Builders

The Rammed Earth House Book available at Amazon - details the construction of building homes with Rammed Earth Wall construction techniques.
Additional Resources on Rammed Earth Wall Construction
Wikipedia Rammed Earth Walls Construction
Terra Firma Rammed Earth Builders / Why Rammed Earth Walls in Construction?
Walls of Earth Rammed Earth Walls
DIY Rammed Earth Wall Construction
Mk'Mip Winery and ResortPatricia Gray writes about 'WHAT'S HOT 'in the world of Interior Design, new and emerging trends, modern design,
architecture, and travel, as well as how your surroundings can influence the world around you.
© Patricia Gray Interior Design Blog, 2009

























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