Earth Building Maintenance & Restoration in New Zealand

Earth buildings have been part of Aotearoa for more than 150 years. From early cob cottages to mid-century rammed earth, to early nineties hand-molded adobe, many structures across the motu demonstrate the durability and beauty of earth.
When in need of care, they require compatible materials and informed interventions.
At Solid Earth, we specialise in earth building maintenance and restoration. We provide practical repairs, heritage conservation, and compatible finishes that keep older and historic buildings safe, beautiful, and hopefully in use for generations.

Repairing and Restoring Historic Earth Buildings

We have worked on council-owned and museum buildings, as well as maintaining private estates and homesteads. Our projects often involve collaboration with conservation architects and Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga (Historic Places Trust) to ensure work meets both heritage values and performance requirements.

We can quote for specific repair works or take on full restoration projects where required.

Structural Repairs for Cob, Adobe and Rammed Earth

Every traditional technique has its own logic for repair. Our team is experienced across:

• Cob repair and conservation
• Adobe brick alterations and maintenance
• Rammed earth repairs

We stabilise, rebuild, and strengthen using compatible mixes and details, ensuring long-term durability and compliance with the NZ Earth Building Standards (NZS 4297/4298/4299:2024).

Traditional & Natural Wall Finishes

We renew interior surfaces using natural earthen and lime-based plasters. These breathable finishes allow earth walls to regulate moisture while ensuring serviceability.

Options include:

• Earthen finishes (plastered or bagged)
• Lime wash
• Lime plasters

Exterior Lime Plaster & Weather Protection

For many older earth buildings, exterior protection is critical. We specialise in lime plasters as well as breathable finishes that:

• Protect against weathering
• Allow vapour permeability
• Preserve the character of heritage buildings

Unlike cement renders or acrylic paints, which are fundamentally incompatible, our finishes safeguard walls instead of trapping moisture.

Our Approach to Restoring Earth Homes

• Respect for tradition — protecting the heritage and cultural value of earth structures
• Technical rigour — using tested mixes, proven detailing, and current Standards
• Health and sustainability — prioritising breathable, non-toxic, low-carbon materials
• Collaboration — working with homeowners, councils, heritage bodies, and insurers

Why Correct Maintenance Matters for Earth Buildings

Incompatible materials such as cement renders or acrylic paints often accelerate decay by trapping moisture. Correct earth building maintenance ensures that walls can continue to “breathe” and remain strong.

Our solutions are based on decades of experience and independent testing, providing confidence that repairs are durable, appropriate, and sustainable.

Get a Quote for Earth Building Repairs & Restoration

If you own or manage an older or historic earth building, we’d be delighted to discuss its needs. We offer:

• Site assessments and repair recommendations
• Quotes for specific works or full earth building restoration projects
• Reporting on Damage and Methodology of Repair
• Training and guidance if you wish to carry out repairs yourself