Contemporary design and construction methods, when integrated with lessons of
traditional vernacular architecture, can lead to a refined, regional, ecological and
economical system of building construction. This thesis seeks alternative design
prototypes for contemporary compressed soil-cement brick construction suitable for
Afghanistan where the climate is arid and the building resources are limited. The purpose
of the thesis is to explore the integration of earth and renewable, available, building
materials into alternative prototypical spatial enclosures for school structures. The thesis
utilizes a design methodology that includes analysis of pertinent literature, identification
of essential design requirements, alternative design concept generation, and design
refinements based upon design critiques. Although there is an inability of building these
prototypes full scale, computer modeling will be utilized to evaluate structural
performance. The thesis should provide a valuable source of information for parties
seeking advanced appropriate building construction strategies for Afghanistan.
