By Elizabeth Hopkirk2021-05-27T06:00:00+01:00
Architect hints the sustainable material could feature in high-rise projects
David Adjaye revealed he is “obsessed by rammed earth” and hinted that it would appear in much of his office’s future work, including high-rise projects.
The vernacular material’s sustainability credentials and potential for much wider use as a low-carbon alternative to concrete fascinated him, he said at yesterday’s Gold Medal ceremony in response to an audience question.
“It’s ripe for rethinking,” he said.
He promised the public would begin to see the fruits of Adjaye Associates’ research into reinforced earth from the end of the year “at multiple scales from houses to high-rise”, with the Thabo Mbeki presidential library in Johannesburg the only project he named. The scheme will feature eight rammed earth domed chambers.