Aesthetics: We experimented to find various ways to alter the appearance of a dirt brick to make it more aesthetically appealing. At times, that was a difficult task (its dirt we’re working with here). We came up with 6 basic ways to alter a brick or a wall. In this paper, we discuss how we went about each way, what difficulties we found, how long it took, how much it cost and what our results were like. Some of our results seem like the experiment only showed that it was a bad idea, but in all cases, there may be a specific application in which one of our tests is perfect. Also we tried to test our variables as independently as possible for ease of discussion, however, they can all be combined in hundreds of ways to create hundreds of different bricks. And, there are probably hundreds of different things that we didn’t even think of or try if we did, because aesthetics is so subjective and mainly up to the designer. Ultimately, though, we think our categories still stand as a basic guide for how to alter a dirt brick and should prove helpful in a general way for everyone’s specific designs.
Color Integral in the mix:
Color can be added in various ways by adding it into the mix. We tried adding color through colored sand, concrete coloring, and latex acrylic paint.
Sand (See figure 1A):
Results/ Implications: The sand offered very subtle results because to add enough sand to the mix that it would significantly alter the color of the brick would more importantly alter the dirt’s composition. It would make the soil even sandier. If an entire wall is built of these sand colored bricks, the wall would have a consistent color and texture. Repairs would have to go back the original mixture used.
Time/Labor: For an entire building made of sand colored bricks, the extra time would not be much as one could simply mix up a huge batch of dirt and sand.
Money: The colored sand was not extremely expensive, however, to buy enough sand to make enough bricks to make an entire building would be very expensive.
Difficulty: There is very little difficulty once a ratio of sand to dirt is established.
Concrete Coloring:
1) Solid color (See figure 1B)
Results/Implications: The concrete coloring offered a drastic change in color for the dirt brick. It could be made subtler if less was used, however, this is an example of a way to make the dirt brick look like it is not made out of dirt. The solid colored brick would create a solid colored, consistent wall. We could only find the coloring in a few colors, though. Again, adding anything into the brick can alter a lot more things than just its color. Repairs would have to find the original mixture used.
Time/Labor: It does take extra time to mix the coloring into the dirt, however, again, like the sand; a huge batch could be mixed up ahead of time.
Money: The concrete coloring it rather expensive. It would be cheaper if a more subtle color was desired and less coloring was used.
Difficulty: Again, it is not that difficult once a ratio is established.
2) Variegated color (See figure 1C and figure 6)
Results/Implications: This method gives each brick a unique appearance. It creates a very random, busy looking wall if such a drastic change in color is used. If a color closer to the actual color of the brick were used, the appearance would be less gaudy. Adding something into the brick and not adding it in other places may affect the brick in even more ways than adding something consistently throughout, however it is beyond the scope of this experiment to determine. Repairs would not only have to find the original color used, but also the technique.
Time/Labor: The procedure is quite laborious and may not be feasible for an entire building unless a quicker method is developed. First, you must mix up one batch with color, but leave a separate batch without color. They when filling the cinva ram, you must alternate batches. This is time consuming–especially if you accidentally add too much, because then you must take some out and the brick color begins to get muddled.
Money: Again, the concrete coloring is expensive, but since only half of the brick is colored, it is cheaper than the solid brick.
Difficulty: The difficulty here lies in laying the layers of different colors and getting the right amount in the cinva ram the first time around.
Latex Paint (See figure 1D):
Results/Implications: When we made our brick, we did not concentrate hard on mixing the paint and the dirt perfectly, therefore, it created an uneven texture within the brick but the same texture throughout the entire brick. The surface is smooth, but it looks slightly mottled due to the uneven color. We used gray which gave us subtle results, but a brighter color would give much more drastic results. The wall made from this would be consistent, but not solid color. Yet again, adding something into the mix has a lot of implications, most of which are beyond the scope of our experiments, but we hypothesized that adding latex to the mix may actually be beneficial in that it gives the brick some flexibility. That brick did seem to feel as though it would not crack as easily as the others–it didn’t feel quite as dry. Repairs would have to have the same color used.
Time/Labor: The amount of labor is similar to any of the other brick that were made with a consistent mix, or maybe even less so because we didn’t put precedence on making the mix perfectly consistent.
Money: The latex paint that we bought was in a small bottle and buying enough of those for even a few full size bricks would be expensive, but you could probably use wall or house paint and achieve similar results.
Difficulty: There was not much difficulty.
Surface Film: Color can be added once the brick has been made or even once the wall has been made just as a surface film. We tried paint and spray paint. Surface treatments allow the bricks to remain internally unchanged.
Paint (See figure 2A):
Results/Implications: This gave a very even, smooth texture the surface of the brick. It allowed for bright solid colors. It completely hides the fact that the brick is made of dirt, and evens out the surface of the brick. It would allow for a smooth, consistent wall. Many colors could be used. The paint also seemed to strengthen the surface of the brick. It would allow for easier rain shed. However, it may cause the entire surface of the brick to break off instead of just chips because the surface adheres to itself, but not he rest of the brick. It would allow for easy changes and repairs afterwards.
Time/Labor: This was not very labor intensive. After the brick was made we just painted the surface. It would be even quicker to paint an entire wall after it was built.
Money: The paint came in a very small quantity and was rather expensive, but wall or house paint could probably be used.
Difficulty. The only difficult part is that to evenly coat the surface, it is easier to do it while the brick is still wet, and even then, the surface does want to crumble off if you brush too hard.
Spray Paint (See figure 2B):
Results/Implications: The spray paint will offer an even color if you want it to, and not even if you spray it differently. You could easily create a pattern within one brick, or a pattern on a whole wall if you did it afterwards. It hides to color of the brick, but not the texture. We also covered parts of the brick up and then spray-painted to give a relief. Repairs would be easy.
Time/Labor: This is very, very easy and even easier if you do it after the wall is put up.
Money: Not very expensive.
Difficulty: Not difficult at all.
Surface Layer: We used a surface layer of concrete over the brick. It creates a layer with its own integrity and thickness.
Stucco (See figure 3A):
Results/Implications: This will give the appearance of a stucco wall. It is slightly irregular but consistent across the entire wall. It could also be colored stucco. Or you could paint the stucco afterwards. It creates a texture that is different from the brick, and hides the brick’s own texture. It adhered to the dirt directly for us, however we do not know exactly how strong of a bond that is, it may need a lath.
Time/Labor: The time would be similar to the time it would take to stucco a wall. It would take a lot less time if an entire wall was done at once instead of individual bricks.
Money: Rather cheap–we just used cement and water.
Difficulty: It would be difficult to keep the surface form chipping off and to keep your stuccowork a consistent texture across the wall.
Texture: Specific textures can be created by placing something with texture in the bottom, top, or sides of the cinva ram. The pressing action of the ram, imprints the brick with whatever texture you put in it.
Corrugation (See figure 4):
Results/Implications: This gave a brick a texture beyond just the texture of the dirt. It allowed it to cast shadows on itself. The texture is not perfectly crisp due to the nature of the dirt. We rotated the corrugations ninety degrees to create a patchwork pattern.
Time/Labor: It was rather labor intensive the way we did it, but it could be improved. First, put the texture in the bottom of the mold so that if there is too much dirt, you don’t have to pick up the pattern and re-lay it. Second, glue the pattern to a piece of cardboard or wood so that it can be laid down in one solid piece instead of each piece individually like we did. After those modifications to the process, it would be rather quick.
Money: Corrugated cardboard is cheap, but depending on what else you would pick to make a pattern, it may be more expensive.
Difficulty: The difficulty would be in making the pattern, after that, it would be easy.
Objects in the mix (See figure 3B):You can place solid objects into the dirt so that they peek out of the dirt at random spots and create a texture. We chose nuts and bolts and washers.
Results/Implications: This creates a random pattern of solid poking out from the dirt brick. You could use anything. To really be able to see the objects, it is best to put them mainly in the top or bottom of the mix. This however makes the surface of the brick less strong and would cause easy deterioration at the objects edges. It would create a rather consistent wall if only a few objects were used, but it would be a random wall if a lot of objects were put in the mix. The surface can also be rubbed afterwards to see more of the object.
Time/Labor: It is somewhat laborious and definitely time consuming to put things in to the top and bottom of the mold.
Money: The amount of money spent relies totally on the choice of objects in the mix.
Difficulty: It can be somewhat difficult to place the objects so that they stick out enough, but not too much.
Shape: We altered the shape of the bricks so that they would cast shadows on themselves and others. These brick also create interesting surface conditions depending on the manner in which they are laid. We made brick both curvy and slanted.
Curvy and Slanted (similar) (See figure 5):
Results/Implications: Altering the shape of the brick in either way creates interesting shadow conditions on the wall. It still is a consistent wall, but has a dramatic texture. The building would continually change appearance throughout the day due to the changing in the light. The uneven surfaces of the brick may alter its structural ability or cause deterioration, but that is beyond the scope of this experiment. After the wall is built, since it is not just a surface treatment, even a layer of paint would not ruin the architecture of this wall.
Time/Labor: The labor is in making the form to be placed in the cinva ram. Afterwards, it is easy.
Money: The money is also only in the form and that is cheap.
Difficulty: The difficulty is in making a form that is even. The form must be thin so as to not take up the space for the dirt in the cinva ram, so it can be difficult to cut a thin piece of wood.
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