Building with Compressed Earth Blocks

Compressed earth blocks (CEB) play a central role in SWD Architecture’s design approach. Made from local soil, simply pressed with minimal processing, they significantly reduce buildings’ carbon footprint while highlighting local resources and craftsmanship.

A contemporary, modest material
CEB combines low embodied energy, short supply chains, and simple implementation, making it suitable for projects with limited mechanization. The thick walls provide thermal inertia, natural humidity regulation, and excellent acoustic comfort—creating stable, temperate, and pleasant interiors without technological excess.

A private earth-built residence
Building on this principle, SWD Architecture is designing a private residential complex of six houses, each about 200 m², set within a garden that includes both front and rear outdoor spaces. The flat roofs host solar panels that supply a significant portion of the electricity needs, supporting energy autonomy and efficiency.

Bioclimatic comfort for everyday living
Each house is organized around an inner courtyard that promotes natural ventilation, enhances daylight in the center of the plot, and contributes to passive temperature regulation. On the ground floor, living areas open generously to the outdoors, while upstairs, bedrooms are clustered to enjoy cooler air and garden views.

Thoughtfully designed living spaces
Each home includes a private garage, a main entrance for the family, and a secondary entrance serving the kitchen and household staff. An outdoor kitchen, directly connected to the indoor one, allows for open-air cooking while remaining linked to the living spaces—extending the house seamlessly into the garden.