
Earth as Memory:
Mixed-Use Earthen Residential in CID
Classification: Mixed-use Residential
Location: 522 7th Ave S, Seattle, WA, 98104
Site Dimensions: 250 ft x 220 ft

WHY EARTH ??
Environmentally
Light Earth Wall vs Light wood frame Wall
Embodied Phrase:
71% reductions in global climate change impacts
55% reductions in energy demand
57% reductions in air acidification
27% reductions in air particulate pollution
Operational phase (Portland):
Heating: reduce ≈ 31%
Cooling: reduce ≈ 20%

Thermal and Moisture performance

Good response to hot weather:
- 4.33 inch drop 0.65 ℉
- 7 inch drop 1 ℉
Good response to cold weather:
- 4.33 inch 1% above benchmark
- 7 inch about same as benchmark
Benchmark of Light wood frame wall
Temperature of 4.33 inch light earth fill in
Moisture of 7 inch light earth fill in

5.5 inch
Typical Light wood frame wall

4.33 inch
4.33 inch light earth fill in wall

7 inch
7 inch light earth fill in wall
Moisture of 4.33 inch light earth fill in
Temperature of 7 inch light earth fill in


Ground Level Plan
1. Tulou Garden
2. Lobby Office
3. Interior Clay Workshop
4. Ceramic Display
5. Storage Room
6. Washroom
7. Machanical Room/
Rain water collection sink
8. Outside Clay Workshop
Clay Workshop Interior

Second Level Plan
1. Bike Storage
2. Mailbox
3. Clay Display Area
4. Gym
Upper Level
2B2B
1B1B
2B1B

Courtyard Perspective

Construction Type

Unit Interior with Clay Wall

Section 1
