The only way to properly learn SIREWALL is to take an Introductory Course through a SIREWALL licensed builder.
There is no single process or standard formula that can be written down. The SIREWALL system is a strategic method of understanding how to work with the wide range of site-specific variability—from soil types, to equipment, to available labour—in order to achieve consistently good results.
Visit our Courses page to learn more >
Not ready to take a course? Try these books on Modern Rammed Earth. You won’t learn the SIREWALL system, but they do offer partial guidance on insulated and/or high strength rammed earth.
Yes and no. Both use the most common building material on the planet. However, cob and adobe have a compressive strength of 100psi to 200psi while SIREWALLs have a minimum of 3,000psi, and that strength creates worry – free and maintenance – free durability, as well as the ability to build large structures.
SIREWALL is a complete wall system comprised of Modern Rammed Earth, and is better thought of as engineered sandstone as opposed to compacted soils.
Looking for a more comprehensive understanding of modern rammed earth? Try these books on Modern Rammed Earth. You won’t learn the SIREWALL system, but they do offer partial guidance on insulated and/or high strength rammed earth.
Please see this clip of Canadian science broadcaster David Suzuki trying to erode a SIREWALL with a pressure washer that is strong enough to cut through a wood 2×4.
From a life cycle point of view, there is nothing cheaper. From a first cost point of view, it’s expensive. Quality is often like that.
In N. America, SIREWALLs have come out less expensive than board formed concrete with insulation and drywall inside. Material costs are similar around the world but we have had labour vary from $70/hr in Wyoming to $5/day in India. Labour is typically around 60 – 65% of the overall cost in N. America, depending on the design. Simple repetitive elements (curving or straight) take much less time than sculptural items with many corners.
Simply put, each building situation brings too wide a range of variability for us to provide meaningful cost-per-area estimates. This information is provided during the Design and Pre-construction phase of our project consulting service. Learn more >
No, we don’t do SIREWALL wallpaper. We offer a structural system that uses less than half the cement of concrete with a stronger result, insulates to R50 plus, has excellent acoustic and hygrothermic properties and is healthy—in addition to beauty. We are dedicated to making a difference for the planet, not greenwashing.
That’s an appealing environmental notion. The size of excavation needed to get below all organic materials (eg root hairs) makes this impractical in all but the largest projects. Even with a large excavation, the type of soil below the organic layer may or may not be useful, so it’s not something to count on—although nice when it happens.
We have heard that concern dozens of times and have always been able to generate over 3,000psi using local soils, using our technology.
The resistance to freeze/thaw cycling is a function of the compressive strength. With SIREWALL’s industry leading compressive strength technology, we’ve built in cold places like Winnipeg, Edmonton, Sheridan and Pinedale, Wyoming.
We’ve built load-bearing to 51’ tall for the Brinton Museum in Sheridan, and a 100′ tall free-standing rammed earth tower for the Telenor head office in Islamabad, Pakistan.
The Sheridan Museum has SIREWALLs backfilled to over 30’ depth. Use standard concrete protection techniques.
SIREWALLs are stronger than generic concrete and have a hydrophobic admixture throughout. We don’t know the answer but expect the lifespan to be measured in the hundreds of years.
Certainly, and there are many ways to do that. Edmonton Valley Zoo has a 47’ span with SIREWALL above. Nk’Mip Cultural Center has 100,000 tons of hanging rammed earth over a slit window plus entry that spans 59’.
Most commonly it is the Engineer of Record as the engineering of the SIREWALLs needs to respect the loads of the building as well as wind and seismic loads. We do have engineers experienced with SIREWALL that we can take on as part of the consulting.
The colours you see are a combination of the colour of the fines in the local soils, the iron oxide pigments added, and the colour of the cement. We can make any colour you want (except blues or greens as those colours are toxic to work with). Making colour samples with local soils is standard procedure.
Probably. We have really expanded what we used to think was possible. Please talk to us about your architectural intent. We have some creative options that have never before been used.
Yes, we have experience at this.
Yes, we have experience at this.
SIREWALL was among the first two products ever to successfully pursue Living Product Certification. Read more about SIREWALL’s Living Product status from Living Futures Institute.
Yes, we have experience with this.
Yes, adjust insulation levels to your requirements.
Yes, we have been for many years.
Yes, ingredients are almost all reuseable for their initial role. Eg. Soil, foam, rebar, metal conduit and electrical boxes.
Yes, we have done that a number of times. It’s more difficult and costly for every trade to build in the winter, and SIREWALL is no exception.
Is it quicker or slower than concrete? It’s slower than concrete and will impact the scheduling sequence. Overall project completion time need not be impacted if the GC is willing to work with the new technology—but it varies with the particulars of the project.
We invite you to check out our growing global team of SIREWALL expert builders. There are many benefits to working with a professional close to your area. Plus, when the scale and scope requires, licensed builders have access to further support.
Having said that, we always recommend reaching out to us well ahead and reserve your time with a deposit.
Engage SIREWALL early on to get the maximum benefit. Please see our consulting service info to see how we can support you.
Learn in detail what is attracting architects like Foster & Partners and Gensler to this incredible structural wall system and how it may be the perfect fit for your next big project.
Are you a professional looking for new ways to create superior buildings for your clients?
Garner support for your project as you move key stakeholders or clients out of the realm of hypothetical into real possibility.