VIRTUAL Barcelona

Abstract

On the cover of Earthbag Architecture by Kelly Hart, aspiring homeowners can read the subtitle “Building Your Dream with Bags.” Earthbag construction (or flexible-form rammed earth construction), was first published in the 1990s through Nadir Khalili’s SuperAdobe wall system and is marketed as an easy-to-start building system for DIY enthusiasts. It is celebrated as an accessible building system because its materials are affordable, the instructions are relatively simple, and anyone can participate in the construction process if given the correct tools. Due to its affordability in bulk, durability, and standardized sizes, polypropylene is the most common and tested material used for constructing earthbag structures. Other materials such as burlap and recycled cloth, however, are also cited as suitable alternatives for earthbag construction. This research seeks to bridge two realms: earthbag construction within the scope of DIY construction and sustainability, and the global problem of textile waste resulting from the fast fashion industry. Just as earthbag construction can be implemented in various contexts, due to the global availability of earth and its simple construction process, there is opportunity to use textile wastes as a building resource. Following a literature review of existing earthbag tutorials and structural research, a series of earthbag units were produced from second-hand clothing made from cotton and polyester, filled with unstabilized soil medium, and tamped. The study evaluated the impact of using upcycled textiles for earthbag production regarding treatment of old clothes, production of new bags, and adjustments to the earthbag construction methodology.