earthwall II
Photography by: Roger Wade
earthwall II
Inspired by the expansive, horizontal character of its open setting, the EarthWall II Residence is a 6,000-square-foot custom home designed to become an extension of the landscape. Conceived as an unapologetic “groundscraper,” the residence uses a low-profile form and living sod roof to reinforce the horizontality of the site while minimizing the visual impact of the home's substantial footprint.
At the heart of the design is Ward + Blake Architects’ patented EarthWall system, a post-tensioned steel rammed earth wall construction method that combines structural innovation with the inherent beauty and thermal performance of natural earth. Constructed using soil from the site, the massive earthen walls appear to rise directly from the ground, creating a powerful connection between the architecture and its surroundings.
A strong sense of transparency and indoor-outdoor living defines the residence. Expansive walls of high-performance glass open the interiors to the landscape, while continuous poured-concrete floors extend seamlessly from interior living spaces to exterior patios. This continuity of materials dissolves traditional boundaries between inside and out, creating spaces that feel visually and physically connected to the natural environment.
Environmental performance is integral to the home's architecture. The residence is carefully oriented to take advantage of passive solar design, maximizing beneficial solar gain through energy-efficient glazing while the high thermal mass of the rammed earth walls helps regulate interior temperatures throughout the year.
A ground-source heat pump further reduces the home's energy demands by utilizing the earth's relatively stable underground temperature for efficient heating and cooling. Reclaimed Douglas fir used for soffits and ceilings, along with reclaimed stone incorporated into the architectural detailing, reinforces the project's commitment to sustainable materials, resource conservation, and a reduced environmental footprint.
The EarthWall II Residence exemplifies Ward + Blake Architects' approach to sustainable residential architecture—combining innovative building technology, passive design strategies, natural and reclaimed materials, and a deep response to place. The result is a distinctive rammed earth home that demonstrates how contemporary architecture and environmental responsibility can work together to create a timeless connection between building and landscape.
Location
Squirrel, Idaho
Project Size
5,994 sq. ft.
awards
2021 IDA International Design Awards - New Residential Bldg./Pro - First Prize/Gold
2012 IDA International Design Awards - Architecture - Architect of the Year
Publications
2021 Homestead Magazine, Blending into the Landscape
2014 The Wall Street Journal, The Rural Squirrel, Idaho, a Modern Home
2013 Green Source
2012 IDA Book of Designs 12