Patterns of environmental decay affecting historic and modern pisé walls

This talk was given at the Earth Building Association Australia Conference 2017. Learn more at https://www.ebaa.asn.au/. Rammed earth (pisé) buildings have a long history in Australia. Setting aside the impact of natural disasters, pisé structures exhibit great longevity as  long as the roof is water tight, and the bottom of the walling is protected from splash effects. This paper will review the nature of environmental decay as it affects both historic (nineteenth century) and modern pisé walls. The paper will show that modern walls made up from a cement/earth mix are not immune from moisture induced decay. Dirk HR Spennemann (PhD APF MICOMOS), Associate Professor in Cultural Heritage Management, Charles Sturt University. Dirk HR Spennemann is an Associate Professor in Cultural Heritage Management at Charles Sturt University. One of his research foci is the management of vernacular earth architecture in Australia and beyond. Dirk was instrumental in obtaining the Local Heritage listing of the rammed earth School of Environmental and Information Sciences at the Albury-Wodonga campus. Heritage futures is another key research foci including contemporary and emerging technological heritage and the threats to heritage posed by natural and human hazards. In addition, Dirk is a photographic artist, who interprets heritage issues through visual media in exhibitions in Art Galleries and Museums.