SCEBs - University of Colorado Boulder

variety of secondary benefits such as: (i) stimulating economic growth and create jobs in
the local community; (ii) taking advantage of available renewable resources such as
passive solar heating and geo-thermal heating; (iii) regulating indoor conditions such as
humidity and air quality; and (iv) producing quality structures of which the builders and
owners are proud. Changing demands regarding energy use, growing populations, and
resource depletion will ultimately bring more attention to applying earthen building
techniques in “modern society”. However, the process of implementing a successful,
earthen building plan involves multiple disciplines including human resources, geologic
constraints, mining, resource delivery and processing, access to a skilled labor force,
quality control testing, approved building plans, etc. These and numerous other factors
are an inherent challenge when applying earthen building technology.
Perhaps the most concerning issue regarding SCEB technology may be public
acceptance in regions where earthen building is seen as inferior to more contemporary
building materials, such as timber, concrete and steel. While several exceptions exist,
earthen building techniques are typically limited to one story structures. In large cities,
where often the most cost effective option is to build vertically, earthen building
technology is highly restricted. Additionally, the percentages of the population living in
earthen homes today tend to be among the poorest. Because of this, there exists a social
stigma around living in an earthen structure in many developed communities. Earthen
structures are viewed as being primitive, rodent infested, cold and damp (Minke, 2006).
While these are just stereotypes, the building market strives to meet market demands
dictated by the consumer. In this way, earthen building can be restrictive. As trends
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