Concrete vs Tires

I broke down and emailed to the architect I'm intent on hiring.  I found some new information and wanted his opinion, since he's the expert.

The Natural Home  discusses some issues with solar gain and the different materials one can use to build a house.  They had some very interesting comments.

They mentioned that when considering thermal mass, dry stracking concrete blocks or using poured concrete is just as effective at holding heat.  They suggested this was easier than tire pounding, which resonated with me.

• Earthships (using recycled tires for your walls) are obviously less expensive in terms of materials, but any savings is quickly overshadowed by the increased labor. That happy glow from recycling tires will be of little consolation to your sore back after ramming hundreds of wheelbarrows full of dirt into those endless radials. 

• If you want to use conventional mortared block walls or poured-in-place concrete, go right ahead, we're with you all the way. It's just that dry stack is worlds easier for the unskilled homeowner-builder. You don't have to have any experience with laying block to dry stack!

So I emailed the architect to ask his opinion on constructing with blocks.  The concept is interesting.

He responded back with the fact that tires and concrete block are the same.  Compacted earth, concrete and rubber all have R-1/inch.   He also said that tires can definitely done by unskilled labour while concrete walls not so much.  He has a point there, I looked up info on stacking the bricks and for me personally, even without mortar, it still looks more difficult than tires.   From my perspective, I would still probably have to hire masons, which eliminates any costs savings from either method.  At least with pounding tires, I can do it myself and volunteers in trade for knowledge are numerous.  

He did have some good news though.  He realized that pounding tires is a PITA and that people do want an easier way.  He found that cutting off the top rim of the tire makes pounding way faster, since there is no side pounding necessary.   He built a small structure with 80 tires and was able to finish in a day in a half what would normally take 7 days.  There was also a study done to prove that this method was just as safe and effective as not cutting the tops off of tires.  Yay!