About Us
BWB Mission Statement:
Builders Without Borders is an international network of ecological builders who advocate the use of natural, local, and affordable materials in construction. We believe the solution to inadequate shelter is not merely better buildings, but people who know how to build for themselves. To this end, BWB creates educational materials and opportunities to empower communities, organizations and owner-builders.
Since its founding in December of 1999, Builders Without Borders (BWB)
has formed a network of ecological builders and other volunteers dedicated
to natural building. Our focus is educational and organizational. We
connect a network of professionals and volunteers with those in need.
We support those working in the field, through providing books, videos,
and DVDs, advice, connections with experts, and hands-on training. BWB
promotes straw, earth, and other natural building materials, and facilitation
techniques that are culturally-sensitive, fun and effective.
Straw bales are highly suitable for solving the housing shortage in
economically marginalized communities because of their super-insulating
qualities and their low cost as an agricultural waste material. They
function as giant building blocks and can be quickly stacked into walls
by a volunteer crew with little or no building experience. Plastered
with earth they can provide a comfortable and healthful place to live.
However, Builders Without Borders does not prescribe one solution for
all situations, but rather a climate appropriate, relationship-based
process that allows individuals and communities find their own solutions
through dialogue and collaboration. Such a process is:
• Hands-on. Developing practical skills within communities.
• Regionally appropriate. Utilizing local knowledge, skills and
materials.
• Cross-fertilizing. Creating a cross-cultural exchange of ideas
and techniques.
• Respectful. Empowering local decision making.
Builders Without Borders is a project of Networks
Productions, Inc.
Read about
BWB in The Last Straw Journal.
Currently BWB offers support to these Partner
organizations.
For a list of Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs), click
here.
Board
of Advisors
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Send
all letters, comments and articles to:
Builders Without Borders
119 Kingston Main Street
Hillsboro, NM 88042
email: Contact Us
phone: 510-525-0525
Builders
without Borders admires and applauds the work of Doctors Without Borders,
but is not affiliated with them.
BWB is an international network of ecological builders working together for a sustainable future.