Johnson/Chronister Residence
   
Member City of Austin
Green Building Program
Mobile Mixer     Form Walls


Foamed walls    Star insert


Finished walls    Finished walls


Mobile mixer    Finished wall

Cast Earth

Architect, Elliot Johnson, in association with Rich D. Cope, has established Whole Earth Construction, which is pioneering the use of Cast Earth construction in Austin, Texas.

The first two Cast Earth homes in Austin have been completed, the Cope Residence in June and the Johnson/Chronister Residence in December 2005, both rated five-star by the City of Austin Green Building Program. 

Cast Earth is similar to Rammed Earth, produces an 18"-24" thick earthen wall with less labor and expense than Rammed Earth, yet producing an equally attractive exterior.



Cost


All alternative wall construction techniques have a higher initial cost than conventional framed construction; however, Cast Earth homes are more efficient and require less longterm maintenance than their conventional counterparts.

In Cast Earth homes the interior and exterior walls are 'finished' walls and require no paint or alternative finishing.  If desired by the client, on the exterior, stone or stucco veneer can be applied, and the interior can be plastered.

Although each project is unique, Cast Earth is approximately half of the cost of Rammed Earth.