Abstract: A method and apparatus for field erection of structures, particularly residential buildings, adapted to utilization of locally available labor and having a significant content of locally available materials. A rectangular floor covering sheet serves both as a waterproof sub-floor and as a layout template for erection of the building framework and the tools used serve as the measuring means required for all dimensions to be determined on-site. Temporary horizontal side beams and permanently installed roof beams are positioned and braced by diagonal and horizontal wire members, while vertically folded, expanded metal mesh reinforcing members provide lath surfaces for application of hardening filler material for walls, so as to provide a substantially monolithic steel-reinforced basic building structure.