Pillow-Faced Architecture

Utility

An innovation in construction where three-dimensional chunks of stone interconnect in unique configurations from loose bags of sand and gravel of varied sizes. These bags are made to conform to uneven surfaces and left to harden into walls. This made it easier to then be plastered over and painted.

Manufacturing

Small Bag Layers

1. Hemp bags are then bulked with dirt, grit, sand, rocks and animal bones
2. Soak the mixture in a binder of water, volcanic ash and flammable mud
3. Tightly tie the bags closed and stack them on top of each, into a wall, while still wet
   • Let them morph/sag against each other so that the impression at the top face of a bottom bag, is the same as the impression at the bottom face of a top bag
4. Once they harden, rip away the pieces of exposed sacks and grind down the stone knob that formed behind the sack's knot
5. Set fire to the completed wall to burn away the remnant fibres

Big Boulder Building

1. Wooden lattices are constructed and held together with a wicker frame to enclose the eventual wall
2. Stretch sheets of cheap fabrics over openings in the wood works and push into a bowl
3. Follow the "Small Bag" instructions, but with sacks large enough to hold a grown man
4. Sand the large, newly-shaped stones clean so the jigsaw-like pattern is more recognizable

Social Impact

Load Bearing

It is believed that the Mud Men devised this technique in imitation of the monumental architecture left behind by their Kang conquerors. They used it as part of an aesthetic finish with the seemlessly fitted wall only existing on the only side facing pedestrians.
In turn, the Kang's successor state would improve upon their innovation to make larger, earthquake resistant buildings.

Crucially, new walls constructed from this technique became load bearing as evidenced by well fitted rock interfaces to shallow dept and leftover space filled in with small stones. It is typically used for temples and royal places throughout the empire.

Access & Availability

Though it is a relatively cheap process, the materials are not so widely available across the corners.

Complexity

Cellular polygonal masonry, aesthetically impressive, and easily repairable

Discovery

The practice has been handed down by mud descendents for centuries, with different tribes cooking their own recipes adapted to their environment.

Related Items

• Mud Sculptures

Related Materials

• Acidic Mud