Oládélé Arc.

For the sake of argument, let’s assume cost is the same. You get a better product for that same price. What you get with Earth blocks is : – Better thermal comfort (No need for constant AC) – Fire resistant – Insect resistant – Mold resistant. And on top of that: - fewer finishes needed – less dependency on imported materials if designed properly.

Concerning cost, it mainly depends on brick size and quantities. In our case: 1 concrete 9-inch block ≈ 2.5–3 earth bricks Rough estimate: 1 earth brick ≈ 300 Naira (production) So 2.5–3 bricks = ~750–900 Naira equivalent Concrete blocks: – ~900 Naira 3 months ago – ~1100–1200 Naira today (Ibadan) For concrete blocks: – standardized price (but increasing) – easy availability – low transport constraints. But you still pay for labor and finishes (plastering, paint…) For earth blocks: Similar base cost in many cases but you gain more control if produced using already available laterite on site. And you can save on finishes as it can be left exposed.

Cost reality check on our Nigerian Compressed Earth Block (CEB) — since so many of you asked. Like I said earlier these bricks are produced on site. We set up the full process (The machine, mix tests, adjustments.) Beause a lot depends on the soil when you want to build with earth (laterite).

@Daniel_Egba_E Thanks Danee, 😀😀😀 Looking forward to sharing your designs soon o.

@Oladelee Nice work Oladele 👏🏿👏🏿👏🏿

I convinced my client in Nigeria to build with earth instead of concrete. Here’s why that decision changes everything:

@bamiroken The machine was imported. It can be moved from site to site.

@Oladelee Please do you know where I can get more knowledge about this in Lagos. The kind of machine and materials needed ..

@virus_emeka No. It's Compressed Earth Blocks/Bricks

@Oladelee Was this fired bricks?

@ChristianaRisen Not at all, rodents free too due to its density

@Oladelee This is great. I have often wondered if the earth bricks are more susceptible to termite infestation.

@_theCyberDoctor You can DM me

@Oladelee This is awesome. I’d love to connect with you Arc.

@Profmosun No it's not AI. It's my own rendered image of the project and No AI rendered. I used D5 Render

@Oladelee Are these images real or AI generated and how much are the earth blocks?

@one_miloo @TopeDada17 I will share more soon

@Oladelee @TopeDada17 This is commendable. I will like to know more about this project.

@IamBlack_Love7 I'm still working on the details but base on my estimate they seem to be about the same price

@Oladelee Looks very good and comfy. So which is cheaper?

@tobbsticks1 I will share more about the project soon

@Oladelee Impressive, Senior. I would love to know more abt this project

@drealpharoah Yeah, like I said, perception is the really a problem

@Oladelee Please am tuned in for the duration of the house construction, i need to prove to my real estate friend as well that concrete boxes are not always the best solution

@A_wahab_I I will share more about the project soon

@Oladelee Where can i get more info on this project Arc?

@TopeDada17 Thank you !

@Oladelee Amazing work👏

@vangeorgh In a European settings, It could work, if the glass is facing the north and not exposed fully south. In Africa, the sun, My current office gets literally no sunlight all year. It can work for them, not for US

The heat gain tho 😬

@DiKachii x.com/Oladelee/statu… We’re behind on sustainable architecture in Nigeria — been clear since my 2017 thesis. But it’s shifting. More architects are starting to build with climate and context in mind.

I enjoy the architectural design coming out of Francophone Africa and the Sahel in particular. I'm done with Nigerian architects, they can continue thinking they are from the Scandinavias.

4. And this is where our role as architect matters. It's not just about designing but guiding decisions that impact cost, comfort, and long-term performance. It’s about building better with what’s already available. More to come as the project progresses.

3. The biggest challenge wasn’t really technical. It was the perception. Convincing the clients that earth is not “low quality”, but a smart and durable solution. Other 2 other clients opted for concrete blocks due to this perception. Winning one client is enough for a start