The use of conventional building materials is facing two main challenges of excessive cost and large-scale depletion of the sources thus creating environmental problems. These challenges demand that alternative building materials be explored that are not only affordable but are also environmentally friendly. In this regard and inspired by the global need for sustainable development, earth(soil) is re-emerging as the grand eco-material for building construction due to its availability, environmental/cultural appropriateness, structural adequacy, familiarity to the local people, “breathability”, health benefits, amongst others. This paper presents results of experimental work in Kenya aimed at utilizing earth in formal housing constructions with a view to alleviating the severe housing shortage in the country. Studies were conducted on structural performance of various types and blends of earth material, from which a suitable blend was selected and used to construct a model two-storey rammed earth building. The model house had load-bearing walls of rammed earth, and a hollow-pot reinforced concrete slab containing light-weight stabilized soil blocks. The rammed earth two-storey model house was tested for vertical load resistance using sacks of sand. Results obtained from this study indicate that certain blends of local earth materials had higher stabilized block strengths than the standard dressed stones which are normally used in construction in Kenya. Further, the model ecohouse was able to resist applied vertical loading with minimal deflections within the standard requirements. The model house has been in use as an office building for over four years with negligible deterioration in terms of material erosion or cracking or deflections
