Sirewall – Insulated Rammed Earth System

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Description

1. The Material: SIREWALL (Structural Insulated Rammed Earth) is a highly engineered, load-bearing masonry system that integrates locally sourced sub-soils, a minimal percentage of Portland cement (typically 5-10%), steel reinforcement, and a central rigid insulation core. Compacted pneumatically in lifts within proprietary reusable formwork, the resulting monolithic walls achieve extraordinary compressive strengths ranging from 30 MPa to 50 MPa (7,000 psi)—outperforming many standard concrete mixes. By sandwiching a hidden insulation layer within the 18 to 24-inch (450–600 mm) thick earth matrix, it achieves thermal resistance values from R-33 up to R-100 (Passive House standard). It features a proprietary hydrophobic admixture (SBA) that minimizes water absorption and efflorescence, eliminating the need for exterior synthetic sealants.

2. The Company & The Story: Founded in 1992 by Meror Krayenhoff and based in British Columbia, Canada, SIREWALL pioneered the integration of a hidden insulative core into traditional rammed earth, securing patents across North America and beyond. Setting numerous global engineering records—including the construction of the world’s tallest load-bearing rammed earth walls (up to 30 meters)—the company bridged the gap between ancient earth-building mechanics and the rigorous structural demands of modern building codes. Their proprietary technology has been specified in landmark global projects, proving that raw earth can meet heavy commercial requirements.

3. Technical & Commercial Summary: Commercially, SIREWALL operates as an on-site construction technology and expert consulting service rather than shipping pre-fabricated units. By utilizing up to 90% locally sourced aggregate, it drastically reduces transportation emissions (Scope 3). Designed for major commercial, institutional, and high-end residential infrastructure, the system delivers extreme durability, acoustic dampening, and unparalleled thermal mass, requiring zero maintenance over a projected lifespan exceeding centuries.

  • Extreme Compressive Strength: Consistently achieves up to 50 MPa, allowing for heavy load-bearing applications and monumental heights without supplementary steel framing.

  • Passive House Thermal Performance: Integrates an internal rigid insulation core achieving RSI 5.8 to RSI 17.6 (R-33 to R-100), drastically lowering HVAC energy consumption.

  • Seismic Resilience: Fully engineered with vertical and horizontal steel reinforcement to comply with strict seismic building codes.

  • Local Material Utilization: 90% of the wall volume consists of locally excavated, uncalcined soil, significantly reducing the carbon footprint of material transport.

  • Hydrophobic Matrix: The proprietary SBA admixture repels water internally, protecting the structural integrity without surface coatings.

Analysis & Certificates

Verified Sustainability
Certifications & Accolades: Instrumental in achieving LEED Platinum and Living Building Challenge (LBC) certifications (e.g., VanDusen Botanical Gardens). Patents held for the integration of insulation within load-bearing earth walls.

Environmental & Bio-Technical Analysis: [Biolisty Auditor Note]: SIREWALL must not be classified as a 100% circular or biodegradable material. Because it relies on Portland cement (5-10%), steel rebar, and synthetic rigid insulation (polyisocyanurate/XPS), it cannot be simply returned to the soil at the end of its life. However, it successfully reduces total cement volume by up to 90% compared to a conventional reinforced concrete wall of the same volume. Its core sustainability metric is rooted in extreme longevity (estimated 1,000-year lifespan) and massive reductions in operational carbon through passive thermal regulation.

Biolisty Status: Verified by Biolisty. 🟢 This technology is approved for our directory as a highly effective, low-embodied-carbon structural alternative to conventional reinforced concrete in heavy-duty commercial and seismic-prone environments.

Technical Features

End-of-Life
Scratch Resistance
High / Scratch Proof
Hygiene & Antimicrobial
Moderate / Bacteriostatic
Surface Texture
Textured / Grainy
International Shipping & Export
Universally Approved / Easy Export
Supplied Format
Raw / Granules / Liquid
Vapor Permeability
Highly Breathable
Transparency
Opaque / Solid
Acoustic Absorption
Excellent / Sound Absorbing
Weather / Moisture Resistance
High / Fully Waterproof
Thermal Insulation
Excellent Insulation
Glossiness & Luster
Matte / Non-reflective
Weight / Density
Heavy / High Mass
Maintenance & Care
Standard Wipeable
UV / Sunlight Resistance
High / UV Proof
Hardness & Rigidity
Hard / Structurally Rigid
Fire Resistance
High / Incombustible
Base Material
Earth & Minerals

Location

Address
Salt Spring Island, BC, Canada
Salt Spring Island, BC, Canada

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