Sustainable Village Provides Innovative Shelter and Safe Haven
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With simple evolution of one of man’s basic methods used centuries ago united with a little modern technology to construct shelter and housing, an innovative architect has created a small eco-sustainable village to accommodate 80 children, 10 staff, and a small school near Kathmandu, Nepal, in the Himalaya Mountains — the first of its kind for the region.
Using a technique developed by Cal Earth in California, architect Nader Kahlili worked with the Pegasus Children’s Project to build a small sustainable village of over 40 “super adobe domes” to provide permanent shelter, using solar panels and a Bio Gas plant for sun and wind energy.
The main building material is simply what’s abundantly available throughout the world — the soil beneath our feet to mold and shape into an eco-friendly home.
Standard polypropylene sandbags in rolls about 14 to 18 inches (35 to 45 centimeters) in diameter and up to a mile long, are cut to length and filled with dirt, sand, or clay, using 10 parts of soil to 1 part cement for added longevity, making these ‘super adobe’ homes that can last for decades.
A chain is used to mark out the circumference. The foundation is only one level deep, and numerous domes can be built and conjoined to create one large structure.
The sacks are wound in circular or spiraling forms which are compacted in layers, reinforced and connected together with ribbons of barbed wire in between each layer, acting as mortar to provide added stability.
Doorways and windows are worked into the design as the levels of the dome are built up until the outside shell is complete. One house, up to 16 feet (5 meters) wide, can be built in a day by 4 people.
The dome is then plastered inside and out with sand and cement for further longevity and endurance, and then covered in paint made with milk and linseed oil.
Thus, a pile of earth is transformed to construct a small home for what’s called ‘eco-domes.’
“The structures make the materials of war — sandbags and barbed wire — into materials of peace.” says Khalili, who founded the California Institute of Earth Art and Architecture — known as Cal-Earth — in 1991 to focus on housing for the world’s poor.
More than 100 local Nepali workers were employed for the project, which supports 80 children from poor or difficult backgrounds.
It’s estimated that there are about 5,000 street children in Nepal and nearly 1,000 in Kathmandu due to conflict between the government and Maoists. About 95% of these children have been found sniffing glue.
“Sniffing glue helps us get rid of our hunger.” said Rajan, a 14-year-old boy.
“I forget everything; I won’t feel cold and I can sleep.” said 12-year-old Shyam.
Super Adobe homes are strong, and can be wind and waterproof. Designed to be resistant against extreme environments, they have been earthquake tested to 6.5 on the Richter scale, complying with the most rigorous earthquake building codes.
The flexibility of earth as a raw material allows the easy construction of curved surfaces which work with, rather than against seismic forces.
The domes are surprisingly cool inside during hot summer temperatures, maintaining heat to remain warm and cozy in the winter.
Staff accommodation and office.
The community kitchen has a chimney for cooking.
Boy’s dorm.
The boy’s dorm consists of 7 domes.
“Every man and woman should be able to build a home for their family using the earth under their feet, integrating some features of modern technology to make their homes resistant to fire, flood, earthquake, hurricane, and other natural disasters.” says Nader Kahlili.
This simple evolution in construction design means that unskilled people can build homes for themselves, whether they’ve been displaced by disaster or simply in need of a home, constructed for less than the cost of tents used for shelter during disasters.
Kahlili’s designs harnesses the local environment to create homes — a simple fusion of landscape and architecture that offers limitless possibilities of sustainable housing.
But don’t be fooled by their simplicity — not only do these homes provide economically viable survivalist housing — they also make for some of the most beautiful living spaces.
Cal Earth is a non-profit organization dedicated to research and education of the public in environmentally oriented arts and architecture. Its philosophy is based on the equilibrium of the natural elements of earth, water, air, and fire, and their unity at the service of the arts and humanity.
Founded and directed by Nader Khalili in 1986, its scope spans technical innovations published by NASA for lunar base construction, to design and development of housing for the world’s homeless for the United Nations. They are now building dome homes for families around the world. Visit the Cal Earth website to learn more.
Photo Cal Earth
Photo Cal Earth
Photo Cal Earth
Photo Cal Earth
Photo Cal Earth
Photo Cal Earth
Sustainable Village in Nepal
Designing Homes with Nature
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Now, THAT’s what I call appropriate technology!
I love how you’ve fleshed out this story with so many photos.
I’m surprised that this technology hasn’t been implemented more than it has by the UN already, Robin.
Thanks Kuanyin. It’s heartwarming to see some of these kids given shelter with a home and hope
That is amazing! hopefully they can start using these more in the displacement camps in africa.
WOW. That’s really amazing. Never thought of such buildings in the world. They look strange, but i think that’s a perfect invention. What a pity, that there aren’t more of this buildings all over the world, because i think that’s great architecture. Really love that post.
Very interesting. We American would need to re-train our brains on the issue of space, that’s for certain.
This is absolutely incredible. It is so refreshing to see genius being played out in practical, life-saving ways.
Props to Cal Earth and Nader Khalili! These are things that make me have hope for our future.
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[...] Cheap homes for the poor people worldwide – “super adobe domes” with simple evolution of one of man’s basic methods used centuries ago… [...]
Unbelievably simple but effective and attractive, egg shaped domes. With double/triple glazed windows or no windows and 1 hour fire rated doors,could be effective fire storm/huricane ?/ storm proof structures. Remarkable . I’m intending to build one as wonderful example of eco-architecture !
Deborah,
You constantly amaze me. Bravo my friend!! How are you????
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looks a lot better than some tin shack to boil in in the sun and freeze in in the winter !
Hey where do you get the extra long sandbags from???
I live in Nepal aand would like to build a home using this technique but can’t find a supplier of un-cut poly sandbag material. I have foud lots of middlemen looking to make a profit but no direct contacts. Please post/share the information to help others continue in your footsteps.
This sustainable village concept is truly a great idea to build long lasting, self sufficient communities. You should check out Raleigh’s sustainable model tribal village work in India as well
This are innovative shelter solutions by various people in different countries.
The insides of those homes look amazing. Way better than what I would expect knowing what they are built from. I hope this movement catches on.