Paper

Learning from Limitations: Design and Construction of a Rammed-Earth Community Kitchen

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Abstract

This paper explores how a spontaneous design-build project—a low-cost rammed-earth community kitchen—offered students valuable hands-on learning opportunities. Developed and built over four months on a semi-remote site, the project addressed challenges such as limited resources, communication with Deaf client-collaborators, and student training of non-specialist community volunteers. In this project we encouraged students to challenge conventional methods of architectural representation through alternative drawing techniques; use conversational, rather than technical, language in communication with collaborators and volunteers; and to develop an openness to real-time problem-solving skills in the field. This project demonstrates how limitations-driven design can provide sustainable and inclusive construction experiences while offering architecture students meaningful, practical engagement.

Keywords: design build, rammed earth, hands-on-learning

How to Cite:

Newsom, H., Zhang, C. C. & Scott, L., (2025) “Learning from Limitations: Design and Construction of a Rammed-Earth Community Kitchen”, Building Technology Educators’ Society 2025(1). doi: https://doi.org/10.7275/btes.3497