STANDARDS

New Zealand as of 1999 has an Earth Building standard

The standards development project was managed by Standards New Zealand supported by the members of a voluntary Technical Commitee, each of whom has specialist knowledge in a relevant area. The Earth building Association of New Zealand has provided committee members with expertise in both the design and construction of earth buildings.
The standards have extensive commentary sections throughout which contain much in the way of advice and explanation but which are not mandatory provisions of the standards.

Contact snz@standards.co.nz

The Earth Building Stds refered to are

It is now possible to construct your earth house without the need for structural design by an engineer. See NZS 4299 Earth buildings Not Requiring Specific Design.

In fact the Standards will probably save you money anyway. It was report recently that an Engineer was able to complete some work for around $500 thanks to the standards, when it could have cost up to $3000 previously.

It is also crucial to the NZ Earth Building Industry that the Standards do not get photocopied-Every lost sale to Standards New Zealand means there is an increased chance that these Standards will not be revised and reviewed but simply dropped (SNZ is not government funded).

The Earth Building Standards referred to are:

NZS 4297 The Engineering Design of Earth Walled Buildings (Specific Design)

Provides for the structural and durability design of unfired earthen wall buildings. The scope is limited to adobe, pressed brick, poured earth and rammed earth and which contain clay and silt and which rely on the clay and silt particles present to achieve satisfactory performance with or without chemical stabilization. Such materials shall comply with NZS 4298 "Materials and Workmanship for Earth Buildings".
 

NZS 4298 Material and Workmanship for Earth Buildings

Sets out requirements for the materials and workmanship requirements for the use of unfired earth in the form of adobe, pressed earth brick, rammed earth or poured earth. It applies to buildings which are designed in accordance with NZS 4297 "Engineering Design of Earth Buildings" and NZS 4299 "Earth Buildings Not Requiring Specific Design". This Standard provides a means of compliance with the materials and workmanship requirements of earth walled structures. Test methods for earth building materials and criteria for acceptable results are included.

NZS 4299 Earth buildings Not Requiring Specific Design

Sets down construction requirements for earth walled buildings not requiring specific engineering design. Many drawings of construction details which have been proved in New Zealand are included to help builders in earth to achieve durable and weatherproof buildings. To be used in conjunction with NZS 4298 "Materials and Workmanship for Earth Buildings".