Earthen architecture has deep roots in Algeria. Today, this practice has practically disappeared and can no longer be seen in contemporary architecture.

Foreign and local construction companies make the majority of buildings in Algeria using reinforced concrete structures with brick infills. This creates both an economic dynamic that does not benefit the country as well as a negative ecological impact.

Our goal is to bring back earthen construction to Algeria gradually in order to bring local expertise up to date in an environmentally conscious way. Because it is representative of a large part of construction, we have chosen to transform a classic three-home operation into a technical, environmental, social, and esthetic laboratory project.

​The three single family homes will be made of rammed earth for the ground floor and compressed stabilized earth blocks (CSEB) for the first floor. The earth will come from the site itself and a nearby quarry. The bricks will be made on site in collaboration with LafargeHolcim Algeria’s research laboratory. We aim for optimal stabilization with 2-6% cement. For the rammed earth, we will call on the experience of a Portuguese firm, which stabilizes rammed earth with lime and fiberglass. Because Algiers is located in a seismic region, the structure will be made of metal with non-weight bearing earth. Using earth for a private commission in an upscale neighborhood in Algiers is a way of changing the material’s image; it’s an up-and-coming material for comfortable, contemporary architecture.

​