Feature article
Homes of earth
With more than 70 rammed-earth builds around New Zealand to its credit, check out Ophir House by Nott Architects.
AI summary
Discover the benefits of rammed-earth homes, showcased by Ophir House, a project by Nott Architects and builder Down to Earth Building. This sustainable method uses local soil to create beautiful, textural walls with a very low carbon footprint.
Key advantages include excellent thermal performance and natural breathability, which prevents condensation and mould. As a durable alternative to materials like gib board, rammed earth offers a unique aesthetic and is gaining popularity for homes across New Zealand.
With more than 70 rammed-earth builds around New Zealand to its credit, Down to Earth Building is one of the most experienced operators in this specific form of highly tactile and textural construction. We spoke to its owner and main craftsman, Jimmy Cotter, about one of the company’s most recent projects, Ophir House by Nott Architects.
The interior of Ophir House allows the beautiful striations of the rammed earth walls to become a natural feature.
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