Using Air to Build Earth Walls

Napa, California, builder David Easton has been building with earth for over two decades now. For much of that time his specialty was rammed-earth, but high labor costs have kept that technique a fringe style for high-end homes. To build more economically with earth, Easton borrowed gunnite equipment from the swimming pool industry. Using large hoses designed to shoot concrete, Easton now shoots cement-stabilized earth against a form to make walls.

Easton has labeled the technique PISE, for Pneumatically Installed Stabilized Earth and because the French term for earth construction is