Water, temperature, decay — how structures age and how to design for it.
A structure in the tropics (Brazil) faces constant moisture and heat. In temperate zones: freeze-thaw cycles. Desert: UV and wind abrasion. There is no 'one-size-fits-all' building. Indigenous peoples adapted their architecture to climate: Krenac structures are porous (cooling) and sloped (drainage). Moon base designs protect against radiation. We design for your climate: tropical, temperate, or arid.
Water degrades earth structures if not managed. But water is also a key binder: the right moisture content makes earth cohesive. Too wet: it flows. Too dry: it shrinks and cracks. Too wet for too long: it loses strength. The design must shed water (roof overhang, drainage) while allowing the structure to breathe (permeable walls). This is the balance termite mounds achieve: ventilated, yet dry.
A biosynthetic earth structure needs minimal maintenance if designed well. Annual inspection of roof (common repair). Occasional mud plaster touch-up (similar to interior paint). No synthetic sealants required — the structure ages gracefully, gradually weathering. This is preferable to concrete, which cracks catastrophically and cannot be repaired without full replacement.
Use earth from your site. Use timber from your region. Use straw or other plant fiber if available. This minimizes transport energy and connects the building to its place. It is also cheaper: a participant's structure costs 1/10th that of concrete/brick equivalents because labor (yours, mobilized community) replaces industrial manufacturing.
Reading:
Capítulo M · Biologia Molecular · Principia Orthogona Vol VI (on adaptation and survival)
Chapter M · Molecular Biology · Principia Orthogona Vol VI (on adaptation and survival)
Videos: