Architecture built with earth is one of the most ancient and universal legacies. In fact, as rightly stated by Hassan Fathy, its most important heir and continuator, earth architecture is par excellence the architecture of man, the architecture of life. Since ancient civilizations it is a usual presence in European vernacular architecture, and particularly in the Mediterranean. It is therefore present in many architecture treaties written since the Renaissance.

Though it was gradually pushed into the background with the industrialization of construction in the 19th century, in many countries earth is still one of the most commonly used building materials. However, the 21st century has brought a renewed opportunity in the field of design, because, due to the increased concerns for matters such as recycling, energy saving and pollution, building with earth is an alternative full of promise...