Compressed Earth Block  

 

Background: 

• The first compressed earth block press was a manual press and was developed in Colombia in 1956. 

• Bricks can be made on site using local earth with a small addition of cement or lime stabilizer. 

• The soil is highly compressed using hydraulic pressure, resulting in a very dense stabilized earth brick. 

 

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Benefits: 

• Avoids wastage with packaging (Saves landfill costs). 

• Costs 20% less than a conventional brick. 

• 80% of the cost of the bricks goes toward creating work onsite. 

• Durability - Stabilized bricks can be used as face bricks.  

 

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Technical information: 

• Building blocks made of clay soils with 3-5% of lime or cement stabilizer. 

• The mixture is then mixed with a minimal amount of water and then compressed using a Hydraulic press. 

• The bricks are then cured before use. 

• Bricks can be used for dome & vault construction (Avoiding use of conventional structural materials for roofs) 

• Attachments can be purchased to manufacture different shaped brick as well as various roof-tiles. 

 

Company Track record/examples of work: 

• Alliance Francaise Cultural Centre – Cape Town, 1997 (Project Architect for ACG Architects)