Modern Rammed Earth: Red Hill Residence (Australia)

I'm a big-time proponent of green buildings, but if I hear straw bale, adobe, tee pee, or the like, I tend to lose interest.  And the same goes for rammed earth.  That is, until I saw the Red Hill Residence, which happens to be a modern rammed earth home, designed by Christopherchris Architecture.  Not sure what rammed earth is?  Wikipedia + Earth Architecture.  Here's the home's description straight from an article translation:

A contemporary new home for a young family relocating from a busy city environment to the Mornington Peninsula. Constructed primarily from locally sourced rammed earth and ship lapped cedar paneling, the house is sited across the ridge of the property.  The elemental form of the building is enhanced by the contrasting and intersecting selection of material, textures and colours, threaded together by the linear rammed earth wall. Key views to the valley are enjoyed from all living areas and bedrooms, whilst the master bedroom is privileged to a unique vista down to the peninsula and onwards to bass straight.

This Australian home is a beauty!  Tell me this:  would you buy it?  I think I would, but I'd like to hear more about the pros and cons of rammed earth building.  So far, we know that rammed earth can be molded and contoured to create modern, expressive buildings.  Feel free to drop a comment so everyone reading will gain from your insight and experience.  Via Moco.

Comments

[Steve Sammartino]

Hey Preston,

Just got onto your blog via Ben Rowe. Love the content and the fact you espouse that green doesn't mean ugly. Sustainable products can be sexier, cheaper and more profitable for all. The above blog entry is a great example. Keep up the good work. Cheers Steve.

[Preston]

Steve, thanks for dropping by...

You're right on. Good design, smart design, attractive looks will help green stuff go more mainstream. If people feel dirty or uncool, green has a hard time. So green needs to compete on the same level as everyone else--the polluters and all.

[Ethel]

Hey,
I'm a student studying 3rd architecture and I have found sustainable buildings very fascinating. I've found this website just by luck and by looking at this picture tells me that the good use of old renaissance can be applied with a modern touch and have the best of both. I would like to congratulate on the fantastic, artistic design :)

[Ethel]

Hey,
I'm a student studying 3rd architecture and I have found sustainable buildings very fascinating. I've found this website just by luck and by looking at this picture tells me that the good use of old renaissance can be applied with a modern touch and have the best of both. I would like to congratulate on the fantastic, artistic design :)

[brianna]

Its very attractive ,and very innovative..Congratulation!!!.. Its very appriciable.

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brianna

Business Sales

[Steve]

Can someone tell me how durable a rammed earth wall is. Can it be made earthquake resistant. What about rain, can it be made waterproof by minimum additive use? How long would it last? Does it crumble, can it be coated etc.

[Term Paper]

I have written term paper in Australia...

[Anthony]

How can I seetishouse? What is the address?

[wall exhaust fans]

You're indeed on the right track. attractive looks will help green stuff go more mainstream. Green is an awesome color i think.

[minka lavery outdoor]

It's very sad that green houses are so expensive. But value is priceless.