Portfolio
Rammed earth walls go up at a very early stage of a project and sometimes we don’t get back to photograph the finished building. This is just a small sampling of our work.
-
Sydney Modern Project – Art Gallery of NSW
Our massive rammed earth walls sweep through glazed panels and connected pavilions of two levels this extraordinary new building, linking internal and outdoor landscaped areas. There is over 250 lineal metres, 1350m2 of rammed earth in the two main walls. Including the Mingwei Spirit House dome, the rammed earth contains more than 1000 tonnes of sand material.
Located in Sydney's CBD, next to the Domain and the Botanic Gardens. The challenges of the steep and congested site led us to develop a new methodology for building rammed earth in difficult locations.
We were also commissioned to build the rammed earth dome which forms The Spirit House artwork by Lee Mingwei. The dome is covered by landscaping, and is lit only by a skylight above a Buddha placed below a skylight in an alcove. The entry to this acoustically magical space is via a curving passageway. The Buddha holds a stone - sometimes - which patrons are invited to take with them on their journey. They may take it around the gallery or further, and return it or not. Their story forms part of the artwork.
The gallery was designed by Pritzker award winning architects SANAA for the Art Gallery of NSW.
-
“Wedgetail House”, Knockninny, Barcaldine, Qld
The crew re-located to Barcaldine for over 3 months for this project. This homestead is on a cattle property in Central Queensland and has 600mm thick external rammed earth walls as part of the design. Internal walls are 300mm thick. The walls will provide excellent protection from bush fires as rammed earth has a very […]
-
Figtree residence
A contemporary home in Brisbane incorporates angled windows with 400mm thick rammed earth splays to provide wider views, the best solar aspect and visual interest. A top-storey garden/outdoor living space is bounded by the rammed earth walls to create seclusion.
Architect: Keiron Gate Architects
Head Contractor: Robson Constructions
-
Andy’s House, Coolum
Our rammed earth walls are used with corrugated steel in this contemporary home on a steep block near Coolum. Designed by Robinson Architects, and constructed by builder Andy Martin for his family, this is an inspiring, modern and light-filled home.
-
University of Queensland/Spicers Wildlife Centre, Hidden Vale
The University of Queensland/Spicers wildlife research centre at Hidden Vale has an extensive internal core of rammed earth walling. The research centre is situated on a 3100 hectare nature refuge. It includes a captive wildlife and breeding centre and a permanent release facility, with a particular focus on echidnas. The rammed earth walls are part of a strategy to allow termite breeding without endangering the structure. (Rammed earth is of no interest to termites.) Designed by WD Architects.
-
Garangula Art Gallery, Harden, NSW
Multi award-winning private art gallery focusing on indigenous art, near Harden, NSW. Designed by FKM Architects of Sydney and built by Manteena, ACT. The extensive high rammed earth walls took the best part of a year to build. Material from the property and especially commissioned artwork were incorporated into the rammed earth walls.
-
Chandler House, Brisbane
A detailed construction for a large home in south Brisbane designed by Hogg&Lamb Architects. The rammed earth wall is 6.6m high with numerous cut outs, forming the central core of the house. It runs from inside to outside. Michael Hogg described the finished rammed earth as "travertine like" (see his close up photo).
-
Stockland Promenade, Deception Bay
CUSP Landscape Architects employed us to create a colourful rammed earth statement entry to a new Stockland housing estate in Deception Bay, Queensland. It was extremely rewarding to receive an email from the Landscape Architect for the project, Sam Waterson. “We just wanted to say a huge thank you on behalf of CUSP for your […]
-
Halcyon Greens Over 50s Village, Gold Coast
Halcyon Greens, Pimpama is a new development in the Halcyon Lifestyle Communities over 50s developments. Halcyon invests a great deal into the recreation, resort and park elements of these developments, and as part of their commitment to provide something special they have incorporated our rammed earth into two of their recent projects – Halcyon Greens and […]
-
Palmview Family Home
This 4 bedroom rammed earth home was owner-built by an excellent tradesman. Intended as his own family home and business base, it is well designed and beautifully finished.
-
Riverside cottage
This modern rammed earth cottage cleverly opens up on one side to a creek, providing a tranquil yet ever-changing view for its lucky residents. Designed by Murray Cox, Architect. Situated in Northern NSW, the climate is ideal for an indoor-outdoor lifestyle.
-
Mt Mee Rural Residence
This beautiful new rammed earth home faces north on a rural property. A particularly clever touch is the north facing roofed patio, which takes in the expansive views and acts as a sun trap during the day. At night it is heated by the double-sided combustion heater that also warms the living room - inspired! The rammed earth wall it is installed within forms the external wall of the living room.