Projects
Ongoing BWB Projects:
Housing Solutions for Haiti
In the wake of the devastating earthquake in Port Au Prince, Builders Without Borders is developing prototype designs for seismically-resistant building solutions for Haiti. Berkeley architect Martin Hammer has made two trips to Haiti, in collaboration with a network of ecological builders, who are also planning rebuilding initiatives in Haiti. He has submitted a proposal to the government of Haiti for the construction of a small strawbale house. Any donations received this summer will be allocated to this effort. See proposal.
PAKSBAB
Our partner organization Pakistan Straw Bale and Appropriate Building (PAKSBAB), which formed in response to the destruction of the 2005 Kashmir earthquake, is completing it's 17th home in Pakistan. They continue to work, even in the wake of recent rains that have caused much additional homelessness. One of their small strawbale homes currently is housing 20 people. It takes only $1000 per month to keep their small, dedicated Pakistani building crew employed, creating comfortable, seismically stable homes for those in need.
In 2009, PAKSBAB proved the seismic resistance of its design on a "shake-table" at the University of Nevada in Reno. The full-scale model building, constructed with straw bales and earthen plaster reinforced with plastic fishing net, withstood three increasingly forceful simulated earthquakes. The final quake simulated twice the seismic acceleration of the Northridge, California quake, yet the model strawbale home remained standing! See PAKSBAB's website for more information about their work, and the seismic test. www.paksbab.org
Previous BWB Projects:
Eco-house Exhibition in Washington D.C.
The Altai Project
Casas
de la Cruz - Anapra, Mexico
BWB Mongolian Tour of the Southwest
Sacred Mountain Camp National Indian Youth Leadership
Project
BWB is an international network of ecological builders working together for a sustainable future.