Project: Rammed Earth Home
Architecture: Nott Architects
Team: Charlie Nott, Kelly Read
Builder: Down to Earth Builders, Shamrock Builders
Structural Engineer: Paula Hugens
Location: Ophir, Central Otago, New Zealand
Year: 2023
Photo Credits: Simon Devitt, Biddi Rowley
The Rammed Earth Home by Nott Architects is a raw, grounded home thoughtfully designed to blend with its rugged, arid surroundings. Located on a remote site, this project was created for a couple who, along with their dog, relocated from Wellington. Bringing a strong visual and storytelling background from their work in graphics and branding, the clients played a crucial role in shaping the home’s unique character. Together with Nott Architects, they crafted a design that’s simple, sustainable, and in sync with nature.
A Design Inspired by Desert Landscapes
The vision for this home was clear: create a structure that is both strong and unpretentious, merging harmoniously with the landscape while championing a sustainable ethos. Inspired by desert environments, the team looked to landscapes like the Mojave and Sonoran deserts and drew influence from Arizonan architect Rick Joy. Known for his refined, earthy designs, Joy’s work informed the house’s robust form, emphasizing contemporary lines without the “wobbly” feel that sometimes characterizes other earth buildings.
Cohesive Spaces, Separated by Nature
Working within a budget, the architects opted for a series of separate yet connected “buildings.” This cluster includes the primary Rammed Earth Home, a timber-framed guest studio, and the clients’ Airstream caravan, which remains on-site as an additional guest space. The main house features a living area and kitchen, linked to the main bedroom and bathroom via an outdoor breezeway. This open design lets residents feel the landscape with each step, moving between rooms in all weather conditions. Ultimately, it’s a layout that honors the land, making the outdoors an essential part of daily life.
Site-Based Design with a Personal Connection
Because the clients spent years vacationing on this land, they brought invaluable insights that shaped the site-specific design. The main living space feels cozy and grounded, with solid, heavy walls that envelop you in warmth and comfort. Furthermore, the breezeway offers shelter while drawing residents out into the environment, creating a seamless indoor-outdoor experience. Meanwhile, the separate main bedroom, accessible only by stepping outside, provides a quiet, immersive connection with nature every night.
Sustainability Through Rammed Earth
Choosing rammed earth was a natural decision, blending environmental consciousness with durability. The walls, made from locally sourced clay and sand, echo the hues and textures of the landscape, rooting the home visually and physically in its surroundings. Beyond aesthetics, the rammed earth construction offers exceptional thermal performance, staying cool in summer and retaining warmth in winter with minimal energy input. Thus, it’s a timeless, resilient material that requires no maintenance, embodying a commitment to sustainability and beauty.
In sum, the Rammed Earth Home by Nott Architects is a powerful expression of simplicity and place-based design. Through the use of local materials, a thoughtful layout, and a design that encourages interaction with nature, this house is not just built on the land but becomes a part of it—a lasting, tactile refuge in harmony with its environment.
