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From the Mediterranean to the Nordic: Unveiling the potential ofearth construction in contemporary architecture
University of Minho.
Malmö University, Faculty of Culture and Society (KS), Department of Urban Studies (US). Malmö University, Institute for Urban Research (IUR).ORCID iD: 0000-0001-7754-0927
2025 (English)In: Structures and Architecture / [ed] Mario Rinke, Marie Frier Hvejsel, Taylor & Francis Group, 2025, 1, p. 739-746Chapter in book (Refereed)
Abstract [en]

The construction industry significantly contributes to global resource con-sumption and carbon emissions, making sustainable alternatives essential for reducing envir-onmental impact. This study explores the feasibility of adapting earth-based constructiontechniques, such as rammed earth, to Sweden’s colder climate by drawing insights from Medi-terranean regions, particularly Portugal. The research assesses earth materials’ thermal per-formance, durability, and moisture resistance through an experimental living lab in Sweden,where a rammed earth wall was built under local climatic conditions. Life Cycle Assessment(LCA) was employed to compare the environmental impact of earth construction against con-ventional materials like concrete and steel, focusing on Global Warming Potential (GWP).The results indicate that earth construction, particularly in Portugal, offers significant envir-onmental benefits, including up to 50% lower GWP compared to conventional materials.However, challenges such as higher labour costs in Sweden, extended drying times, and thelack of technical standards for earth-based construction hinder widespread adoption. Thispaper contributes to the growing body of knowledge on sustainable construction by proposinginnovative methodologies that integrate traditional earth techniques with modern technolo-gies. Future research should focus on improving material durability, developing technicalcodes for earth construction, and exploring mechanisation to enhance scalability and cost-efficiency, aiming to make earth-based construction a viable alternative in colder climates.

Place, publisher, year, edition, pages
Taylor & Francis Group, 2025, 1. p. 739-746
National Category
Architecture
Research subject
Urban studies
Identifiers
URN: urn:nbn:se:mau:diva-78722DOI: 10.1201/9781003658641-89ISBN: 9781003658641 (electronic)OAI: oai:DiVA.org:mau-78722DiVA, id: diva2:1985879
Conference
ICSA 2025
Available from: 2025-07-28 Created: 2025-07-28 Last updated: 2025-10-16Bibliographically approved

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Dabaieh, Marwa

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Citation style
  • apa
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Output format
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