Load-bearing walls which carry the vault are around 60 cm thick (depending on the dimensions of the brick moulds being used), and are made up of rows of super-imposed mud bricks. Each course is made up of a row of bricks laid lengthwise alongside a row laid width wise, using an earth mortar. The orientation of the bricks alternates with each course.

Recesses and openings are built into the thickness of the walls, for doors, windows, cupboards, alcoves, and shelving. These are headed with arched lintels (built over oil drums as a temporary support); their use can be modified according to the needs of the owner. These are built before construction of the main vaults starts.