Techniques and Characteristics of Traditional Earthen Masonry Walls: The Case of Spain

ABSTRACT

This article presents a detailed study of the traditional construction with earthen masonry walls based on 553 case studies throughout Spain. In order to facilitate their identification and interpretation, the variants in this study have been assorted into constructive groups with similar characteristics. In the discussion chapter, a quantitative analysis of the results is provided, highlighting the most common variant. Conclusions reflect on how the combination of opportunity and adaptation to the context—characteristics essential to vernacular constructions—shed light on a wide range of alternative techniques in this architecture. This article further expands on the existing information on earthen masonry, essential to proposing studies and projects aiming to protect, retrofit, and consolidate this type of architecture in Spain and other countries.

KEYWORDS:

• Adobe
• earthen architecture
• earthen masonry
• marl
• sod
• traditional architecture

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Funding

This study is part of the research project “SOStierra. La restauración y rehabilitación de arquitectura tradicional de tierra en la Península Ibérica. Líneas guía y herramientas para una intervención sostenible” funded by Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad [BIA2014-55924-R].