“Reciprocal frame roofs are highly regarded in the natural building community though there is a limited amount of information about them on the internet. Resources that we’ve found helpful are listed at the bottom of this post. There is evidence of similar structures dating back to antiquated castles of Japan and Eskimo huts, though I have yet to find images of these.
I’ve been told that smokeless stoves are being built in every district of Nepal by the following two organizations:
Alternative Energy Promotion Center
“Improved cook stove (ICS) is a device that is designed to improve combustion efficiency of biomass, consume less fuel, save cooking time, convenient in cooking process and creates smokeless environment in the kitchen or reduction in the volume of smoke produced during cooking against the traditional stove.
“Welcome to the data base on African vernacular architecture.
There is very little information available on vernacular architecture of Africa…. this data base is the only source on line to view images of vernacular structures in every African country.
Budgets are obviously limited for most every project in Nepal, while at the same time the need for affordable housing and schools is almost endless – hundreds of thousands of new, safe structures are needed. Here are a few suggestions to rebuild sustainably and affordably.
A nice lady here in Nepal just told me there was no earthquake damage to the rammed earth monasteries in the Himalayas after the recent earthquakes. In fact, most of these structures have survived earthquakes for centuries.
“A digital short about the goings on at CRMPI and Ecosystems Design. Directed and edited by Justin Wright.”