Calanthe

Insulated stabilised earthRammed earth has limited thermal insulating qualities. However, insulated rammed-earth walls – 400-millimetres-plus thick with a 50-millimetre styrofoam insert – can achieve higher R-value levels and are used more commonly for external walls. R-value is a material’s resistance to conductive heat flow and is measured in terms of its thermal resistance. The higher the R-value, the greater the insulating effectiveness.

This house on the Mornington Peninsula in Victoria has 300-millimetre-thick stabilised rammed-earth walls, with no finish. The wall acts as a spine in the house, providing a strong visual element and thermal mass, which helps maintain a comfortable stable internal temperature throughout the year.