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Erth  is an initiative and a practice founded in 2019 by Mariam Al Azzeh, born out of her interest in reviving local knowledge in earthen construction. Rooted in traditional practices of building with local material, Erth aims to counter modern and imported building techniques which have disrupted the continuity of vernacular knowledge and sustainable building methods in Jordan.

The initiative was sparked through an engagement with local communities in Al Ghor, learning from their local knowledge of agricultural practices, and set against a backdrop of some remaining earthen buildings. These encounters raised questions about the history of using natural materials in construction across Jordan, where many traditional earthen buildings have been demolished and the skills associated with building methods and restoration are being lost. Erth started through researching local techniques and by mapping the remaining earthen buildings across the country. Their first project was the renovation of an old mud church in Aqaba, and the initiative then evolved into community-building and transferring this rooted knowledge through hands-on training workshops on construction, carpentry, and agriculture.

Erth works to document, restore and raise awareness about the cultural, social, and environmental significance of traditional and local building practices. A major challenge lies in the absence of earthen construction within local building codes; once neglected and in poor condition, mud buildings are deemed unsafe by local authorities and demolished without efforts at restoration. This has accelerated the loss of intergenerational knowledge on their repair and maintenance. Therefore, one of Erth’s long-term goals is to influence local building codes to include earthen construction and renovation within official regulations.

A wider community is growing around Erth, with local communities, engineers, and youth taking part in the different projects and courses that Erth offers. By connecting documentation, active restoration, community engagement, and knowledge transfer, Erth aims to preserve Jordan's traditional earthen architecture, to foster a culture shift towards sustainable, locally rooted building practices.