What We Do

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At Rammed Earth Solar Homes, we specialize in creating one-of-a-kind, custom-built homes that blend timeless rammed earth construction with intelligent passive solar design. Founded by Quentin Branch in 1984, our company has pioneered sustainable building techniques in Arizona and beyond for over four decades. We craft homes directly from the earth beneath your feet—sturdy, beautiful, energy-efficient structures that are warm in winter, cool in summer, and built to last for generations. Why Choose a Custom Rammed Earth Home? Rammed earth isn't just a building method—it's a lifestyle choice. Our custom homes offer unmatched benefits:

• Exceptional Thermal Performance — Thick, massive walls (typically 18–24 inches) provide natural thermal mass, absorbing heat during the day and releasing it slowly at night. Combined with strategic passive solar orientation (large south-facing glazing, minimal west-facing windows), most of our homes require little to no mechanical heating or cooling—saving you thousands on energy bills year after year.
• Sustainability & Low Environmental Impact — We use locally sourced soil, minimal embodied energy materials, and time-tested techniques that produce virtually zero waste. Rammed earth homes are fireproof, pest-resistant, sound-insulating, and highly durable—often outlasting conventional construction by centuries.
• Timeless Beauty & Unique Character — Every wall tells a story through its natural striations, earthy tones, and subtle variations in color and texture. No two homes are exactly alike. Whether you envision a modern minimalist retreat, a Southwest adobe-inspired sanctuary, or a contemporary desert villa, rammed earth adapts beautifully to your architectural style.
• Health & Comfort — Breathable walls regulate humidity naturally, creating a healthier indoor environment free from off-gassing materials common in conventional builds.

Our Custom Building Process-

We guide you every step of the way to turn your vision into reality:

1. Initial Consultation — We discuss your lifestyle, site conditions, budget, and dreams. Quentin Branch or our experienced team reviews your property (or helps select land) and provides expert advice on passive solar placement and rammed earth feasibility.
2. Design Collaboration — Working with you and your architect (or ours), we develop plans optimized for energy efficiency, natural light, and the inherent strengths of rammed earth. We incorporate your preferences for layout, finishes, windows, and integrated features like built-in benches or niches.
3. Site Preparation & Construction — Our skilled crew handles formwork, soil mixing (with precise stabilization when needed), and pneumatic ramming—compacting the earth in lifts until walls "ring" with solidity. We install windows, doors, roofing, plumbing, electrical, and interior finishes with the same attention to detail.
4. Completion & Handover — Your home is tested for performance, and we walk you through maintenance (minimal!) and how to maximize its passive solar features.

Proven Expertise You Can Trust-

With walls built for more than 200 structures—including modest family homes, elaborate custom residences, and commercial projects—Quentin Branch and our dedicated crew bring unmatched experience to every build. We've refined our techniques since the 1970s, taught workshops worldwide, and continue to innovate while honoring ancient traditions.The cost of a rammed earth solar home is comparable to other high-quality custom homes, varying based on size, design complexity, finishes, and site specifics. Many clients find long-term savings on energy and maintenance more than offset any premium.Ready to build a home that's truly yours—one that's kind to the planet, comfortable to live in, and beautiful forever?Contact us today for a no-obligation consultation. Let's create something extraordinary together. 

At Rammed Earth Solar Homes, we extend our expertise in sustainable, high-performance building beyond residential homes to deliver exceptional commercial and business structures that combine durability, energy efficiency, and striking natural aesthetics. Since founding the company in 1984, Quentin Branch and our experienced crew have pioneered rammed earth techniques for a wide range of non-residential applications, proving that this ancient-yet-modern method excels in demanding commercial environments.Why Rammed Earth for Commercial Projects?

Commercial buildings face unique challenges: high occupancy, operational energy demands, regulatory requirements, and the need for long-term cost savings. Rammed earth addresses them all:

• Superior Thermal Mass & Passive Solar Efficiency — Thick rammed earth walls (18–24+ inches) regulate indoor temperatures naturally, reducing HVAC loads dramatically. In Arizona's intense climate, this means lower energy bills, improved occupant comfort, and compliance with green building standards—ideal for offices, studios, retail spaces, and public facilities.
• Durability & Low Maintenance — Fireproof, pest-resistant, and incredibly strong, rammed earth walls withstand decades (or centuries) of use with minimal upkeep. They provide excellent sound insulation and humidity regulation, creating healthier, quieter workspaces.
• Sustainability & Corporate Image — Using local soil minimizes embodied carbon and transportation impacts. A rammed earth commercial building showcases your commitment to environmental responsibility—perfect for eco-conscious businesses, architects, developers, or public projects seeking LEED or similar certifications.
• Timeless, Professional Aesthetic — The natural striations, earthy tones, and textured surfaces create a distinctive, welcoming presence that stands out from conventional construction. Whether modern minimalist or Southwest-inspired, rammed earth elevates brand identity while blending seamlessly with the desert landscape.

Our Commercial Project Experience

Quentin Branch and our team have contributed rammed earth expertise to diverse commercial endeavors, including:

• A landmark 38,000-square-foot television studio (Univision, 2001) — one of Arizona's top 18 architectural achievements — featuring massive rammed earth walls with integrated steel and concrete elements for structural support.
• Business complexes, offices, banks, restaurants, assay labs, and bed-and-breakfast facilities.
• Retaining walls, sound barriers, patio enclosures, public art installations (e.g., for corporate campuses like Sanofi-aventis in Oro Valley), and garden features for commercial properties.
• Consulting and wall construction for architects, engineers, and developers on projects ranging from small offices to larger mixed-use developments.

With walls built for more than 200 structures overall—including numerous business and commercial applications—we bring proven reliability to every project.

Our Commercial Construction Process

We collaborate closely to deliver turnkey or specialized solutions tailored to your needs:

1. Consultation & Feasibility — Quentin or our team assesses your site, discusses goals (energy performance, budget, timeline), and advises on passive solar orientation, soil suitability, and rammed earth integration.
2. Design Partnership — We work with your architect or provide in-house guidance to optimize layouts for thermal performance, natural lighting, and functionality. We incorporate features like large glazing for solar gain, integrated seating, or acoustic benefits.
3. Expert Construction — Our crew handles precise soil preparation, formwork, pneumatic ramming, stabilization (as needed), and integration of windows, doors, roofing, MEP systems, and finishes.
4. Completion & Performance — We ensure the structure meets codes, test thermal performance, and provide guidance on maximizing passive features for long-term savings.

Ready to Build a Sustainable Commercial Space?

Whether you're developing an office, studio, retail space, hospitality venue, or corporate campus, rammed earth offers unmatched value: lower operating costs, enhanced durability, and a powerful statement of sustainability.

The investment in rammed earth is comparable to quality conventional commercial construction, with superior long-term ROI through energy savings and reduced maintenance

.Contact us today for a consultation on your commercial project. Let's build something enduring, efficient, and inspiring. 

At Rammed Earth Solar Homes, we offer personalized consultations with Quentin Branch, one of the foremost experts in rammed earth construction and passive solar design. With over 40 years of hands-on experience since the 1970s—building walls for more than 200 structures and teaching builders worldwide—Quentin provides invaluable advice to help you make informed decisions before, during, or even instead of full construction.

Whether you're an owner-builder, architect, engineer, developer, or simply exploring sustainable options, our consultations deliver practical, tailored insights to save time, money, and potential pitfalls.

Why Schedule a Rammed Earth Consultation?Consultations are ideal for anyone considering rammed earth—helping you determine feasibility, optimize your project, and align with your goals:

• Site & Lot Evaluation — Advice on property selection, soil suitability testing, passive solar orientation (e.g., ideal glazing placement, minimizing west-facing windows), and how the land's topography, climate, and views influence rammed earth performance.
• Design & Planning Guidance — Review of drawings, plans, or concepts to ensure rammed earth integration: wall thickness (typically 18–24+ inches), stabilization needs, formwork strategies, passive solar features for energy efficiency, and compliance with local codes/permits.
• Cost & Feasibility Assessment — Realistic estimates for materials, labor, and long-term savings (dramatic reductions in heating/cooling costs due to thermal mass). Help deciding between full build, walls-only, or DIY approaches.
• Technical & Engineering Insights — Detailed discussion of rammed earth specs (soil mix, compaction, reinforcement), passive solar principles, durability advantages (fireproof, pest-resistant, sound-insulating), and comparisons to conventional methods.
• Project-Specific Support — Guidance for residential homes, commercial structures, garden walls, retaining walls, artistic installations, or hybrid builds. Quentin has consulted on everything from modest owner-builder projects to large-scale commercial endeavors like the 38,000 sq ft Univision television studio.

Many clients use consultations as a standalone service or precursor to workshops, full construction, or to assist their own crews/architects. Past consultations have included in-depth reviews of designs, hands-on site visits, and ongoing phone/email support.

How Consultations Work

We keep it flexible and client-focused:

1. Initial Contact — Reach out via phone or email to discuss your project briefly (goals, timeline, location, scope).
2. Scheduling — Our Project Manager, Koren Lockwood, coordinates with Quentin for phone, virtual (e.g., Zoom), or in-person sessions at our Oracle, AZ location or your site (travel fees may apply for distant visits).
3. Session — 1–several hours of focused discussion, drawing reviews, Q&A, and recommendations. Bring plans, site photos, or questions!
4. Follow-Up — Often includes notes, resources, or discounted rates for alumni of our workshops.

Pricing: Quentin is available for phone or in-person consultations at a minimum rate of $150 per hour (billed in increments; minimum fee applies). Workshop graduates receive access to private consulting at a reduced rate.Ready to Get Expert Advice?A consultation with Quentin Branch is one of the smartest first steps toward building with rammed earth—avoiding common mistakes and maximizing the incredible benefits of this sustainable, timeless technique.Schedule your consultation today: 

At Rammed Earth Solar Homes, passive solar design is at the heart of everything we build. Founded by Quentin Branch in 1984, our company has specialized in integrating true passive solar principles with rammed earth construction for over 40 years—creating homes and structures that harness the sun's energy naturally, require little to no mechanical heating or cooling, and deliver exceptional comfort in Arizona's extreme climate.

Quentin's journey began in the 1970s with experiments in rammed earth and direct-gain passive solar, leading to his first 100% passive solar rammed earth home. This "purist" approach—simple, sturdy, environmentally sound, and affordable—remains our foundation. Every project we undertake leverages the synergy between rammed earth's massive thermal mass and smart passive solar orientation.

What Makes Our Passive Solar Approach Unique?

We combine ancient earth-building wisdom with proven solar design to create buildings that "keep themselves warm in winter and cool in summer":

• Thermal Mass Mastery — Our thick rammed earth walls (typically 18–24 inches or more, often 2 feet) act as a natural "thermal battery." They absorb solar heat during the day and release it slowly at night (the thermal flywheel effect), stabilizing indoor temperatures year-round. In summer, the mass delays heat gain; in winter, it stores daytime warmth for evening comfort—often eliminating the need for furnaces or air conditioners.
• Optimized Orientation & Glazing — True south-facing walls maximize winter solar gain with large, strategically placed windows. We minimize or eliminate west-facing windows to avoid intense afternoon heat, while using overhangs, shading, and reflective surfaces to block high summer sun. North-facing walls stay minimal to reduce heat loss.
• Direct-Gain Simplicity — Sunlight enters through south glazing, warms interior surfaces (floors, walls), and is stored in the massive rammed earth for gradual release. This direct-gain method is the most efficient and cost-effective passive solar strategy—proven in our projects to maintain comfort with minimal auxiliary systems.
• Climate-Specific Performance — In Arizona's desert environment (hot days, cool nights), our designs excel: thick walls combat 90+°F summers while capturing low winter sun angles. Many of our homes achieve near-zero energy use for heating/cooling, with dramatic long-term savings on utility bills.
• Holistic Integration — We incorporate rainwater harvesting, organic gardens, natural ventilation, and site-specific features (e.g., elevation, topography) for whole-system sustainability. Quentin's personal compound in Oracle, AZ, exemplifies this—positioned for optimal solar exposure, water capture, and passive performance.

Proven Track Record in Passive Solar Rammed Earth

Quentin Branch has designed and built passive solar rammed earth structures for decades, including:

• His own residences and compounds (e.g., the Branch/Szekely 3,000 sq ft home with near-zero mechanical HVAC needs).
• Numerous custom homes featuring 2-ft-thick walls, south-facing glazing, and no west windows.
• Commercial and large-scale projects (e.g., the 38,000 sq ft Univision TV studio with integrated passive elements).
• Consultations, workshops, and collaborations worldwide, teaching architects, engineers, and owner-builders how to maximize passive solar benefits.

Our approach has been featured in resources like HUD studies on Southwest housing traditions, engineering PDFs on our site, and client testimonials praising the comfort and efficiency.

Benefits You’ll Experience

• Energy Independence — Slash or eliminate heating/cooling costs—many homes run comfortably with just ceiling fans or minimal backup.
• Comfort & Health — Stable temperatures, natural humidity regulation, quiet interiors, and no drafts or hot spots.
• Sustainability — Ultra-low carbon footprint through local materials, passive operation, and longevity (centuries of durability).
• Aesthetic Harmony — Sunlit interiors highlight the natural beauty and texture of rammed earth walls.

Ready to Harness Passive Solar with Rammed Earth?

Whether you're planning a new home, commercial space, or retrofit, our passive solar expertise ensures your project performs at its best. Quentin offers consultations to evaluate your site, review plans, and optimize design for maximum solar gain and thermal performance.Contact us today for expert guidance on passive solar rammed earth design: