Earth-based materials are promising candidates for balancing thermal performance, hygrothermal regulation, and environmental sustainability. The objective of this study is to evaluate and compare the hygrothermal behavior of two earthen materials, structural cob and lightweight insulating earth, against conventional reference concrete, taking into account not only their insulating properties but also their ability to regulate coupled heat and moisture transfers. Experimental tests show a significantly higher hygroscopic buffering capacity for earth-based materials, with an MBV of 2.23 g/(m²∙%RH) for the structural material and 1.21 g/(m²∙%RH) for the insulation material, compared to less than 0.5 g/(m²∙%RH) for concrete. The sorption isotherms confirm distinct water storage behaviors, with an average sensitivity to relative humidity of 10.47% for the insulation material, compared to 3.8% for concrete and 2.25% for the structural material, in addition to an average reduction of 26% in the adsorption capacity between 23 °C and 45 °C for both earthen materials. Coupled heat–moisture simulations in COMSOL quantitatively demonstrate the hygrothermal superiority of bio-based materials over conventional concrete, as concrete promotes interstitial moisture accumulation due to its low vapor permeability. The parametric sensitivity analysis highlights the effect of hygrothermal properties, where diffusivity controls transport kinetics and sorption governs water storage, while thermal conductivity modulates the spatial redistribution of thermo-hygric fields. The next and final step made it possible to link the phenomena observed at the material scale to the actual energy performance of the building, confirming the potential of the double-wall cob + lightweight earth system to reduce heating and cooling requirements and maintain stable indoor comfort, where the annual heating demand is reduced by approximately 24% compared to the conventional prototype.

Biosourced materials made of a combination of raw earth and fibers are attracting increasing interest for low-carbon construction due to their reduced environmental impact and good thermal and hygric performance. This study investigates several soil–fiber composites selected and formulated at different densities to assess their thermal conductivity, enabling the selection of two complementary materials: a structural earthen mix and a lightweight insulating mix. Experimental measurements were taken under controlled conditions and used to characterize heat and moisture fluxes, and numerical calculations were carried out to evaluate the performance of single and double-layer wall configurations. The results showed that an increase in thermal gradients accelerates vapor migration and alters the internal distribution of moisture. The evaluation of wall configurations demonstrated that placing the earthen insulating layer externally optimizes thermal fluxes and eliminates condensation risks at the interface between materials, while internal insulation can be sensitive to hygrothermal gradients and prone to moisture accumulation. The combined experimental–numerical approach provides new insights into high-performance designs of bio-based earthen envelopes, establishing guidelines for minimizing moisture-related risks in low-carbon building systems.