1207 Columbia is a rammed earth construction demonstration project. The objective was to build the project on an inexpensive city lot in Moriarty, New Mexico, next to a major freeway, Interstate 40, in a way that would be comfortable, safe, easily maintained, and cost effective. Rammed earth construction was a perfect fit! It is a low-maintenance, energy efficient material. Moreover, lifecycle costs were reduced because rammed earth walls last centuries. The rammed earth walls also reduce exterior noise, enabling the comfort levels sought on a building site next to the freeway.

The house has minimal hall space lending to its efficient floor plan. The hallway doubles as a laundry room and is wide enough for wheelchair accessiblity. The house was designed to include additional amenities such as: a Count Rumford fireplace, tongue-and-groove viga ceilings, a breakfast nook, and built-in window seats.

Contain construction and life cycle costs:

The use of rammed earth and other cost-effective construction practices and materials (some recycled), efficient space planning, and built-in furnishings, made this home attractive yet affordable. Stabilized rammed earth walls are particularly cost effective both in construction and for the life cycle of the building. Rammed earth walls use locally available dirt, eliminate the need for plastering (inside or out), render the building fireproof, eliminate exterior noise, and keep heating and cooling bills down. Because the rammed earth walls are stabilized, no plastering or paint were required initially, and no maintenance will be needed over the life of the structure. The only paint used on the exterior was on the lintels and trim around the doors. Only the interior frame walls are painted. No paint or stain was required for the ceiling vigas.

Various donated materials were used in the house including kitchen countertops using leftover tiles from a nearby Arby's restaurant, and the guest bathroom with tiles left over from a hotel remodeling. Finger joint studs were used for the interior frame walls.

The need for trim around the viga ceilings was eliminated by using a special pocket detail. No trim was used around the windows or wall base. The 8-inch ceiling vigas were made from smaller trees than standard vigas, and so it cost less and wasted less.

Efficient space planning was addressed with a floor plan that minimized hall space; the small hallway doubles as the laundry room. Though small, the hallway is wide enough to accomodate a wheelchair, making the house accessible for the mobility-challenged.

Promote energy and resource efficiency:

Rammed earth uses locally available earth. The mass of the 2-foot-thick walls provides excellent insulation and maintains the ambient temperature, thereby reducing heating and cooling costs.

The design incorporates passive solar design by facing the home south with a large window exposure, and eliminating all windows to the north (where the freeway is).

Ensure healthy indoor environments:

By cutting down on paint and other finishes, rammed earth construction can eliminate much of the toxic fumes associated with these products. Rammed earth is fireproof and has good noise abatement properties, which is particularly important at this site, since it is within 30 feet of the freeway right-of-way.