This article examines the possible use of earth block construction in
the United Kingdom. The current and historical trends and distribution patterns of
earth building in the United Kingdom and selected overseas countries are reviewed.
The rationale for earth building is established, and the unique elements of earth
block construction are identifi ed. Economic and technical aspects of building with
earth blocks are examined, and the cost of this process is highlighted as one
of the major factors that is preventing the wider use of the technique. Methods
of reducing the cost of building with earth blocks are examined, and the use of
thin bed mortars is advocated as a possible way of reducing the labour cost of
building, thereby making earth block building more economically viable. The
article examines the structural questions raised by substituting traditional thick
joint mortars with earth slurry mortars, and the thermal aspects of earth block
walling are discussed. The article supports earth block walling as a sustainable
alternative to more traditional walling construction.

• The feasibility of earth block masonry for building sustainable walling in the United Kingdom