Natural, Earthquake-Resistant Buildings

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We developed our eco-building method in 2010 as a solution to Nepal’s outdated and environmentally-unfriendly traditional architecture. Our structures have a bamboo frame, thatched roof, recycled car tire base and walls made from plaster using shredded recycled paper, clay, sand, straw, and cow manure. Glass bottles, which would otherwise be disposed of in the streets, are recycled to serve as bricks which are both strong and decorative. As a result, these eco-buildings are much cheaper to construct, and follow a flexible structural system which will sway, but is less likely to crumble during an earthquake.

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What started as a way to provide housing to the urban poor, quickly became a post-disaster recovery initiative after the 7.8 magnitude earthquake struck our region in 2015. KRMEF quickly sprang into action, building 63 temporary shelters and supplying building materials to more than 450 families and a water tank to Dhading, a particularly devastated village.

 

After the construction of these 63 temporary houses and thanks to a new construction technique, we were also able to build  18 houses for people who were in need. This natural technique has been approved by the government. These houses, built by local communities, are made of ten percent cement, forty-five percent sand and forty-five percent rock bolts. Each house has the signature of the foundation with some bottles in the walls.

 

Interested in volunteering or interning with our Post Disaster Recovery Initiatives? Learn more here!

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Your donations to our Post-Disaster Recovery Initiatives are critical to the safety and healing of our community. Thank you for helping us recover in an environmentally sustainable way.