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It is. When Kate renovated my house in California she built a retaining wall out of it. That could be a good way for this technology to get a foot in the door in the US.

Another option that might work even better in the US is straw bale adobe:

http://www.buildingwithawareness.com/house1.html

I believe the reason Kate & Co. went with Eco-Domes for Darfur was that they couldn't count on finding anything there except dirt. But there is lots of straw in the US.

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However, straw burns- and mildews, rather easily. I'm sure they have ways to minimize the negative consequences of this, but I think the dirt houses may be easier?

What do they use for roofing on the Eco-Domes?

Actually, straw bales burn very poorly. When locked away behind a layer of stucco, even more poorly.

Ditto for mildew.

The earthquake resistance, pest resistance, and insulating qualities of straw bale construction are mind-blowing.

Okay, I can agree with a tightly bailed bail of hay not burning (as long as it stays tight) but mildew? I've seen a lot of mildewed hay in my life. Living in a farming community, I know the importance of keeping your hay dry. Of course, I'm not totally familiar with the construction techniques- if you have any links you'd recommend, I'd be willing to read up on it.

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