Brickyard – The Rammed Earth House
Set within the landscape of Wiltshire, this recently completed residential building reinterprets an ancient construction technique. Built on the site of a former brickworks, the project draws directly on its context, using clay-rich soil sourced on site and recycled aggregate from demolished outbuildings to form the rammed earth structure.
The building is among the few in the UK to employ non-stabilized rammed earth – a circular construction method that eliminates the use of cement. Its thick, almost fortress-like walls anchor the building firmly within its surroundings, shaping a sequence of sheltered garden spaces. Structural frames in Douglas fir and oak introduce a deliberate contrast to the monolithic earth walls.
Distinctive features include wall-set niches, a sculptural spiral stair, rammed earth floors within the retreat spaces, and a ‘storm terrace’ from which to observe the dramatic skies of the West Country. A restrained material palette complements the tactile quality of the rammed earth, incorporating cedar shingles, copper rainwater goods, Chicksgrove limestone window sills and softly rendered brickwork.
Private
Stonewood Builders with Lehm Ton Erde specialist planning & advice
