Bioconstruction
Earth
Adobe (bricks)
Cob (monolithic adobe)
Earthbag (hyperadobe / superadobe)
Earth is one of the oldest and most trusted building materials in the world—and for good reason. At Earth Rise, we work with earthen systems like cob, adobe, and clay plasters because they are beautiful, resilient, and deeply aligned with our ecological values. These materials aren’t just sustainable—they’re intelligent.
Fire-Resistant
Earth doesn’t burn. Unlike conventional materials that may release toxic fumes or collapse under heat, earthen walls are naturally fire-resistant. This makes them a safe and durable choice in wildfire-prone regions and for long-term habitation.
Thermal Mass
Earthen walls regulate temperature by absorbing heat during the day and releasing it at night. This quality, known as thermal mass, helps maintain a comfortable indoor climate year-round—reducing the need for mechanical heating and cooling, and lowering energy use over time.
Breathable & Non-Toxic
Clay-based systems allow buildings to “breathe,” reducing moisture buildup and supporting healthy indoor air quality. Unlike synthetic insulation or paint, earth materials are free from off-gassing chemicals and safe to live with—even during construction.
Locally Available
Soil is everywhere. We source our earth from the land we’re building on or from nearby sites, which reduces the carbon footprint of transportation and keeps the building rooted in its environment.
Compostable + Recyclable
At the end of its life, an earthen wall can return to the earth without harm. This reverses the logic of waste—earthen materials can be reused, rehydrated, or simply reintegrated into the land.
Aesthetic & Sculptural
Earth is endlessly expressive. It can be shaped, carved, pigmented, and textured to create spaces that feel warm, grounded, and alive. Every wall tells a story—through handprints, curves, and the unique qualities of the soil itself.
Straw & Fiber
Light Straw-Clay (light clay-straw)
Strawbale
Hempcrete
Wattle & Daub
Bousillage
Straw and plant fibers are essential allies in natural building. We use materials like straw bales, chopped straw, hemp hurds, and local grasses to create high-performing, regenerative structures. These materials are lightweight, affordable, and incredibly effective when combined with earthen or lime systems.
Renewable & Agricultural Byproduct
Straw is the leftover stalk from cereal crops like wheat, rice, and barley—making it a widely available agricultural byproduct. Using straw in construction diverts it from being burned or wasted, turning an otherwise discarded material into an essential component of sustainable architecture.
Natural Insulation
Straw bales and fiber mixes provide excellent insulation, helping keep interiors warm in winter and cool in summer. When used in walls, roofs, or subfloors, they significantly reduce the need for artificial heating and cooling, supporting energy efficiency and occupant comfort.
Lightweight but Strong
Straw may be soft and flexible, but when densely packed or integrated into earthen mixes, it creates structures that are durable and load-bearing. In cob or light-straw-clay systems, the fibers act as tensile reinforcement—like rebar in concrete—helping walls resist cracking and settle evenly over time.
Breathable & Moisture-Regulating
Straw and natural fibers absorb and release moisture, preventing condensation and mold buildup when used in conjunction with vapor-permeable materials like clay or lime. This breathability supports healthy air quality and contributes to the long-term durability of the building.
Compostable & Biodegradable
At the end of its life cycle, straw can return to the soil, breaking down naturally without releasing toxins. Unlike foam insulation or fiberglass, it leaves no long-term trace of pollution.
Carbon Sink
Straw and fiber materials store carbon absorbed by plants during their growth. When these materials are harvested and used in construction—especially in long-lasting walls—they act as carbon sinks, sequestering atmospheric carbon and reducing the overall footprint of the built environment. This makes straw-based building not just sustainable, but regenerative.
Wood
Timber framing
Cordwood
Wood is one of the most versatile and timeless building materials on Earth. At Earth Rise, we work with wood not only for its structural capabilities but for its warmth, beauty, and regenerative potential when sourced with care. Whether framing a roof, carving a door, or integrating a sculptural element into a wall, wood connects us to the forest, to craft, and to the long rhythms of growth.
Local & Responsibly Sourced
We prioritize working with wood that comes from local or regional sources. Whenever possible, we use lumber that’s been sustainably harvested, milled nearby, or reclaimed from deconstructed buildings and downed trees. This reduces the carbon footprint of transport and supports local forest ecologies and economies. When needed, we source FSC-certified or naturally regenerative species.
Structural & Adaptable
Wood plays a critical role in many of our builds, especially for framing, roofing, and joinery. It can carry heavy loads with elegance, yet remains flexible and forgiving—ideal for hybrid structures that combine natural materials with modern systems. Whether used in roundwood form or milled lumber, it’s a material that meets both practical and aesthetic needs.
Low Embodied Energy
Compared to steel or concrete, wood has a much lower embodied energy. It requires less processing and fewer industrial inputs to become usable in a build. When sourced and used thoughtfully, wood is one of the most climate-friendly structural materials available.
Carbon Storage
Trees capture and store carbon as they grow. When that wood is used in a long-lasting building, the carbon remains locked away—making timber a key player in carbon-conscious construction. When paired with other natural materials like clay, straw, and lime, wood contributes to structures that are not only low-impact but potentially carbon-negative.
Craft & Sensory Experience
Working with wood invites a deep level of craftsmanship and sensory attention. It brings texture, warmth, and acoustic softness to built spaces. Every grain pattern and knot tells a story of time and place. We honor the individuality of each piece—celebrating imperfections, working with curves, and letting the material speak for itself.
Repairable & Reusable
Wood can be joined, unjoined, re-milled, and reused. It invites future adaptation rather than demolition. With the right design approach, structures can evolve over time, with wood components living multiple lives across generations.
Lime & Natural Plasters
Lime: Durable, Flexible, and Alive
Lime has been used for thousands of years across the world—for good reason. It’s weather-resistant, antimicrobial, and naturally self-healing. Over time, lime absorbs carbon dioxide from the air, slowly converting back into limestone. This makes it one of the few building materials that can reabsorb its carbon footprint after firing.
Lime plasters are ideal for both interior and exterior surfaces. They are more flexible than cement, which allows them to move with natural building materials like cob or straw without cracking. They also allow moisture to pass through the wall, preventing buildup and rot while maintaining breathable, healthy indoor air.
Clay Plasters: Soft, Breathable, Repairable
Clay-based plasters offer unmatched beauty and breathability. They regulate humidity, absorb toxins, and can be easily repaired with the same materials they were made from. With subtle color variations and textures, clay finishes reflect the natural tones of the landscape and bring a grounded warmth to interior spaces.
Clay plasters are typically used for interiors, where their softness and tactile qualities shine. Mixed with straw, mica, or natural pigments, they can range from rustic to refined, always rooted in the sensory experience of place.
Non-Toxic and Human-Scale
Unlike synthetic paints or acrylic finishes, natural plasters contain no harmful chemicals. They are safe to touch, mix, and live with—and their application often becomes part of community builds and workshops. People of all ages can participate in the plastering process, building a deeper relationship with the materials and the space.
Repairable and Circular
One of the key benefits of natural plasters is their longevity and ease of repair. If a wall cracks or chips, it can be patched with the same mixture, no demolition or industrial tools required. At the end of a building’s life, plasters can return to the earth or be reused in new applications.
Finishes That Reflect Place
Every batch of plaster can be tuned to the specifics of the project—local sands, native clays, natural dyes, even crushed shells or fibers. This makes each surface unique, creating a material language that reflects both the natural ecology and the human story behind the build.
Reclaimed & Reused Materials
Reclaimed Wood
Reclaimed Brick & Masonry
Reused Metal Elements
Recovered Windows & Doors
Salvaged Flooring and Paneling
Reclaimed Glass & Found Objects
At Earth Rise, we see value where others see waste. Reclaimed and reused materials are an essential part of our design-build process—offering not only ecological benefits but also layers of history, character, and surprise. Salvaging materials is both a creative act and an ethical one: it interrupts the cycle of extraction, reduces landfill waste, and brings new life to the old.
Circular by Nature
Reusing materials means we’re not just building— we’re participating in a circular economy. Rather than relying solely on virgin resources, we source from deconstructed buildings, discarded infrastructure, and local salvage yards. This reduces the demand for energy-intensive manufacturing and extends the lifespan of materials that already exist in the built environment.
Low-Impact, High Character
Reclaimed wood, brick, stone, metal, windows, doors, and hardware all come with stories. Nail holes, weathering, and patina are not flaws—they’re reminders of time, use, and care. These materials bring texture, depth, and lived-in warmth to a space that no factory finish can replicate.
Resourcefulness as Design Practice
Working with what’s available challenges us to be flexible, adaptive, and imaginative. No two batches of reclaimed materials are the same, which invites design solutions that respond to the materials at hand rather than imposing a fixed aesthetic. It’s a process that honors both abundance and limitation—and often leads to more meaningful, unexpected results.
Community-Driven Sourcing
Reclaiming materials often involves local networks—neighbors with extra bricks, a barn coming down, a construction site with surplus offcuts. These exchanges become part of the story of a build and deepen community relationships in the process. Salvage is not just a material practice, but a social one.
Reducing Construction Waste
The building industry is one of the largest contributors to global waste. By integrating reclaimed elements, we reduce what goes to landfill and demonstrate that beauty and integrity don’t require newness. Every reused door or repurposed beam is a small act of resistance to disposable culture.
Designing for Disassembly
We also think ahead: wherever possible, we design buildings so that components can be taken apart and reused again. Reclaimed materials inspire us to think in loops instead of lines—to build with future cycles in mind.
