Architectural Services
We provide comprehensive architectural design services, from initial project development through to the seamless execution of your vision. Our team guides you through every phase, from conceptualization and design to construction management, ensuring a creative and efficient process. What sets us apart is our commitment to integrated building solutions that embrace both advanced technologies and time-tested, low-tech ancestral knowledge. By merging traditional craftsmanship with cutting-edge innovation, we honor the wisdom of past construction methods while projecting these principles into the future of sustainable design.
In addition to our full architectural design services, we collaborate with designers interested in incorporating rammed earth construction into their projects. Our team ensures that the beauty, sustainability, and structural integrity of rammed earth are seamlessly integrated, delivering a unique and enduring result. We believe that the future of architecture lies in this harmonious balance between modern efficiency and the timeless principles of building with nature. Our team ensures that each project is functionally sound, environmentally responsible, and finely attuned to its cultural and historical context, making every design a living bridge between tradition and innovation.
With over twenty years of hands-on experience and a commitment to continuous research and innovation, we have honed advanced rammed earth construction techniques that significantly enhance both efficiency and quality. By combining traditional methods with modern advancements, we have refined processes that not only streamline construction but also elevate the performance and durability of our builds. The results produced by our construction team stand unmatched, offering a unique blend of aesthetic beauty, sustainability, and structural integrity that is rooted in decades of expertise and technical mastery.
Benefits of Rammed Earth Construction
Circularity
Earthen construction offers significant benefits in terms of circularity, aligning with sustainable practices and minimizing environmental impact. Rammed earth uses soil, often available directly on-site or from nearby locations, drastically reducing the need for transporting materials over long distances. This minimizes carbon emissions associated with material transport. The raw material is abundant and requires minimal processing, leading to less waste compared to industrial materials like concrete or steel. Soil, the primary component, is often free or low-cost, making rammed earth an economically accessible construction method, especially in areas with limited resources. At the end of its lifecycle, rammed earth can return to the environment without causing harm. The material decomposes naturally, integrating back into the soil ecosystem without leaving behind waste. Unlike conventional materials like concrete, which can leave significant debris and environmental harm, rammed earth structures leave no toxic residues or pollutants.
Integrity
Rammed earth is a finished product in itself, offering a unique, textured aesthetic with earthy tones that vary depending on the soil composition. This eliminates the need for additional cladding, plaster, or paint, reducing costs and material use. The absence of chemical finishes or synthetic materials ensures a healthier indoor air quality, free from volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Historical examples, such as ancient walls in China and North Africa, demonstrate its longevity. Rammed earth is inherently non-combustible, providing excellent fire resistance. It does not burn, emit toxic fumes, or weaken under high temperatures and does not require additional treatment to achieve compliance. Rammed earth is a versatile, durable, and energy-efficient material that excels in sustainability and performance. Its thermal mass reduces heat loss and gain, minimizing energy use for climate control. Additionally, its fire resistance and natural aesthetic make it a practical, safe, and beautiful building solution.
Efficiency
Building in Rammed Earth excellent on-site efficiency by utilizing locally sourced soil, reducing transportation costs and logistical complexities. The process requires minimal material processing, cutting down on waste and energy use.
On-site production simplifies material handling, and the repetitive nature of ramming layers allows for a systematic, efficient workflow. While skilled labor is beneficial, teams quickly adapt to the process, improving productivity over time. The use of prefabricated rammed earth panels can further accelerate construction. Additionally, since soil is abundant and readily available, sourcing delays are minimal. The durability of rammed earth eliminates the need for frequent repairs, reducing long-term maintenance efforts. Overall, its resource efficiency, straightforward construction, and low-waste process make rammed earth an ideal choice for efficient on-site building.
Infrastructural Services
REC also specializes in infrastructure design and execution, particularly in road construction. Our innovative base stabilization techniques improve the physical and mechanical properties of all soil types (except A8), eliminating the need for granular material replacement and allowing us to work with on-site materials.
Soil Stabilization for Roadways
We apply our stabilization process in accordance with Article 237-22 - Soil Stabilization with Non-Traditional Chemical Products, as approved by Invías in July 2022. This process is ideal for:
• Subgrade soils or natural soils, whether or not they form part of the pavement structure.
• Rigid pavements, plate tracks, flexible asphalt surfaces, or hybrid mixtures.
• Tertiary roads, bike paths, urban roads, and primary base layers (Type 1).
Cost and Time Efficiency
By using on-site materials and avoiding the need for additional granular materials, our stabilization method offers significant cost reductions, including:
• Lower transportation costs
• No granular material purchases
• Faster execution times, achieving up to 500 meters per day on a 6-meter-wide roadway
Overall, these efficiencies translate into 15-20% cost savings, making our method both economical and environmentally sustainable.