<\/p>\n\n\n\n
But, when we do this we completely bypass some of humanity\u2019s most impressive landmarks, made with entirely natural materials: stone, earth, mud and even wood or straw. This style is called earth architecture and the curious thing about it, is that we can see it almost everywhere we go. For example the beach: sandcastles built by kids and adults alike, made with their own hands and with their own imagination. Small, you may think, yet this is creativity at its purest form.<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n Now imagine if these little sparks of creativity were replicated in a grand scale. This is what we can see in Earth Architecture – monumental works of creative design with ecological materials inside them, which result in wonders that can inspire us and go beyond the beliefs that mud is primitive and that everything that is not built with concrete and steel has no value in it. Also, we can see how different these structures are varying on the place they are from. Without a doubt these creations have the most historical, cultural and ideological content from the place they are from. Take a look at the incredible examples of this technique out there. The Alhambra in Spain, a majestic medieval acropolis, built by the Nasrid which tells a story about the history of Islam in Spain. As the massive fortification that is the Great Wall of China was built, materials started to run out, so in order to finish and continue to expand the wall, often times rammed earth was used instead of stone. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The numerous examples of colourful architecture with mud in Latin America, when because of the Spanish conquest more than 200 new settlements were built in the colonies, these were planned in a grid and most of the times earth was used, as rammed earth or adobe to create them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Jean Dethier, who has dedicated his life to the research and safeguarding of Earth Architecture has written a really impressive book, featuring amazing images, about the case for earthern structures, its many misconceptions and how it can influence our future as a greener society.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In these times of climatic crisis, maybe the best thing we could do is to look back, to gain the possibility to look forward. We can also consider the use of this material as a way to reduce the contaminating impact buildings usually have. We have the power, thanks to this sustainable architecture, to counter the environmental crisis we are living in. In all the wonders built ages ago, we have the basis indicating to us that dirt and mud are enduring materials and if you take good care of them, we have proven how grandiose buildings made with these materials can be. <\/p>\n\n\n\n For the pure love of architecture and care for the environment, or just the sheer archtectonic beauty I recommend that you definitely have a look at Jean Dethier\u00b4s book: The Art of Earth Architecture<\/em>. In it you will be able to see amazing pictures of beautiful Earth Architecture and find out where they are located and some historic insight.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Art of Earth Architecture<\/a> by Jean Dethier<\/a> Thames & Hudson<\/a>. All above images C Thames & Hudson <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Photo on the left: The Najran region, in the southwest of Saudi Arabia, is notable for its mountains and huge…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":197,"featured_media":70813,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_uf_show_specific_survey":0,"_uf_disable_surveys":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_feature_clip_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[1],"tags":[1648,5707,14573,13715,11008,14575,11198,14574,14523,782,898,7763],"features_issues":[],"featured_themes":[14526],"ppma_author":[16703],"class_list":["post-70474","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-100-percent-design","tag-architecture-2","tag-earth","tag-earth-architecture","tag-earthy","tag-ecological","tag-ecological-buildings","tag-ecology","tag-green-architecture","tag-jean-dethier","tag-landscape","tag-photography-2","tag-thames-and-hudson","featured_themes-linear"],"yoast_head":"\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/centmagazine.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/487.-%E2%94%AC%E2%8C%90-James-Wang-jpg.jpg?resize=580%2C646\")
the central mosque village of Dandeji, Niger, built in 2018 by architects Mariam
Kamara (founder of Atelier Masomi in Niger in 2014) and Yasaman Esmaili (founder
of Studio Chahar in Iran).
\u00a9 James Wang<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/centmagazine.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/490-491.-%E2%94%AC%E2%8C%90-James_Wang.jpg?resize=580%2C387\")
Dandaji in Niger. On the left is the old mosque, built by the master mason El Hadji
Falk\u00e9 Barmou. He is one of few artisans to have won the prestigious Aga Khan
Architecture Award (in 1986 for the raw earth Yaama Mosque, built in 1982 in
Tahoua, Niger). Recently deconsecrated, the old mosque has been converted into a
vibrant public library. On the right is the new mosque. The dialogue established
between these two styles of earth architecture is of an exceptionally high quality.
\u00a9 James Wang<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/centmagazine.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/44.-%E2%94%AC%E2%8C%90-Josep-Esteve-jpg.jpg?resize=580%2C580\")
architect Josep Esteve. He has always seen drawing as an essential form of
expression that complements real-life construction.
\u00a9 Josep Esteve<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n