About All Projects
TERRA FIRMA: NEW GROUNDS 
Installation
Ithaca, New York
Fall 2024
Advised by Marta H. Wisniewska 
Sponsored by Cornell CCA 
Partner project with Maxwell Rodencal & Jesus Mayen
Special thanks to: 
David Cutter, James Strait,
David P. Orr, Jonathan Matthew Russell-Anelli,
Les Sills, and Cornell Grounds Team








Terra Firma: NewGrounds is an installation of a 9-square grid of rammed earth columns, located on Cornell campus.  Each column has a slightly different material composition of aggregate (stone / gravel) and lime (naturally occurring alternative to cement) which depends on its location within the matrix. The purpose of this matrix is to celebrate the structural and aesthetic qualities of rammed-earth constructions with varying compositions. As they accept the elements, each monolithic cylinder will texture differently as engineered per the various compositions of soil.

The concept behind the 9 cylinders comes from the method of testing the compressive ability of materials within structural engineering laboratories. This process is crucial in learning
about and regulating new and existing materials for structures. The matrix of cylinders in the art installation represents the material development that happens throughout the testing of
cylinders in laboratories with different compositions in order to optimize ratios for structural performance. 

Rammed earth is prime to be used right here in the Finger Lakes Region. The geologic and specifically glacial histories of the Finger Lakes Region have left behind the correct composition of soil for this type of construction, but this knowledge is not at all known. Moraines from the glaciers 10,000 years ago have left soil rich in clay, sand, and aggregate. 








Preparation: Material Testing
Diagram illustrating the series of tests that were performed to determine the soil’s sutability for ramming.


Preparation for Cigar Tests.
Results of the Cigar Test showing the length achieved by each soil type before breakage.
Sedimentation Jar Test with timer to measure how quickly the aggregated soil separates.
Adding water to soil in preparation of compression test.
Three different soil types for compression test.
Beginning to ram.
Ramming earth.
Additional water was added as original soil was too dry to compact.
Ultimately, too much water was added, turning the soil into a putty-like substance.

Preparation: Formwork Testing
Section drawing showing the column’s structure. The offset lime cap on top provides a liquid erosion barrier from weather, and the inverted-concrete key foundation gives the columns stable footing.


1/8th scale column foundation casting. 
Filling the formwork with soil in prepration of ramming.
Completed 1/8th scale column with lime cap. The column was durable.
1/2 scale column test.
During the removal of the formwork, the column collapsed.
The culprit was too much moisture added to the soil, reducing the earth’s strength.

Preparation: Tool & Parts Inventory
Complete breakdown of all the parts that was needed to construct the columns. This shows what maerials have been modified and what can be directly re-used post construction.


Construction: Foundation Casting & Ramming Earth
Description of each step that was taken in order to construct the columns. 


To minimize construction waste, the foundation was designed to be reusable.
All the foundations have been casted, the first half of the sonotube is installed.
All sonotubes installed.
First delivery of earth.
Sorting through the earth to remove larger debris.
Adding moisture and mixing the soil.
First layer of lime check added after the first 5 layers of rammed-earth.
The concrete foundation cracked due to improper curing, emergency repairs needed.
De-shuttering formwork.












Patchwork: Repairing Unexpected Erosion
Closeup of column to cap connection showing significant erosion. The lack of offset from the cap to the column enabled water to run down the cap and into the column, creating areas of significant erosion during each rainfall.


Circularity: Demolition and Material Re-Use
Beginning of demolition,
Column fell at shear key, which provided significant lateral strength.
More columns falling.
The columns tended to crack at points with large aggregrate.
While strong, as soon as the columns fell the earth turned from soild material to dust.
Closeup of the collapsed column with highest silt concentration.