Traditional earthen architecture in Europe

An heritage in half-timber with wattle and daub, adobe, rammed earth and cob

Abstract

This article presents a state of the art of the earthen architectural heritage, in the European territory. Through different missions to distinct regions and countries, and after various interviews with regional specialists and questionnaires made to international experts, the main European Union earthen traditional building cultures were determined. The article introduces the major constructive groups that are part of the earthen heritage in the European territory: the mixed techniques, constituted by half-timber with wattle and daub in its interior; the adobes which are earthen moulded units dried in the sun; the rammed earth made by compression of humid earth, between forms; and the cob composed by overlapping layers of a more plastic earth. The article also aims to expose examples of the four large families of earthen constructive cultures and their variants and intends to reflect on the future of this vulnerable heritage, which is disappearing very fast.