- 1). Form the mud bricks. A home may require as many as 10,000 bricks, according to the Australian government website. Mud is often made from materials found on site with a standard proportion of between 30 and 70 percent clay with the remainder made of silt or gravel. Place the mud in a wood form of about 15 inches long by about 12 inches long and 6 inches high. Slide the form up and off the brick. Allow the brick to air dry out of direct sunlight.
- 2). Build a foundation or footing. Construct forms and fill with concrete to serve as the base of the home. Level the concrete at the level of the top of the forms. Allow the concrete to dry overnight and remove the forms.
- 3). Lay a course of mud bricks on the top of the foundation. Use a layer of mortar, the same mud used to make the bricks, between the foundation and the mud bricks. Lay the bricks end-to-end with a layer of mud between each brick. Continue working up the walls by adding a layer of mud and another course of bricks. Lay out each course so the joints of the ends of the bricks are not over the joint of the previous course. Leave openings for doors and windows.
- 4). Apply a finish to the exterior and interior walls. Use the mud mix to “plaster” the walls. Either rough or smooth finishes to the plaster are possible depending on the design ideas of the owners. Finish the walls with turpentine.
- 5). Add roof components either integrated into the top course of mud bricks or as part of a post-and-beam construction. Pour a cement floor. Add doors and windows to complete the project.
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