Earthen Finishes

Abstract

Earth has been used as a building material since ancient times. This tradition has gradually been lost, relegated to a low-status architectural concept and associated with suburban, rural, or low-income areas, ignoring all of its qualities. Various studies conducted worldwide have demonstrated the benefits of earthen construction. It is both possible and necessary to reclaim this material in architecture, encouraging the production of raw-earth finishes and experimentation with textures, colors, and application techniques, specifically within the Colombian context. Its implementation poses no major difficulties, reduces costs, and offers a wide range of aesthetic alternatives. This research represents significant progress in using earth as a high-quality aesthetic architectural finish that is fully compatible with contemporary trends.