7. Glossary

Adobe; adobe

Sun-dried mixture of earth and straw.

Bauge; bauge

A construction technique involving the assembly of monolithic mud structures. The earth is stacked in clods to create the structures.

Construction bioclimatique; bioclimatic construction

Construction that adapts to its ecological environment to make the most of it, and draws the energy it needs to function from nature.

Pisé; pisa

A technique used to build raw earth walls using two panels called "banche" in which the earth is compacted in successive layers.

Terre crue; earthen

Raw clay is sifted clay that is still damp when it is used. No firing is required. Natural drying gives it its strength.