Support Malawi Earthbag Projects

Flood resistant earthbag house by Support Malawi
Flood resistant earthbag house by Support Malawi

“Thank you Owen for this great development. Together with the Roscher Youth Development Centre in Rumphi, Malawi, I built a wonderful prototype of sandbag house last year, which now is impressing and convincing everyone about construction with earthbags (http://supportmalawi.org/en/projects/58-sandbaghouse). Aaand we now almost finished a first house for a teacher’s family.

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Open Source Disaster Resistant Earthbag Homes for Nepal

Open Source Disaster Resistant Earthbag Homes for Nepal
Open Source Disaster Resistant Earthbag Homes for Nepal

From the archives — I realized yesterday that this open source disaster resistant earthbag house could be easily adapted to Nepal.

Add a roof of recycled wood and metal roofing and for very little money (under $1,000) you’d have a safe, decent home in short order. This design is 25 sq.m (270 sq.ft or about 16’x16’ interior) It’s extremely simple and easily to build.

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Summary of Earthquake Resistant Earthbag Building Methods

Earthbag corners reinforced with strong plastic mesh and external rebar pins
Earthbag corners reinforced with strong plastic mesh and external rebar pins

We’ve posted quite a few blog posts over the years about how to reinforce earthbag buildings. Due to the earthquake in Nepal, we’re getting lots of questions about reinforced earthbag methods for earthquake regions. The following list will save people lots of time searching our blog and websites. Watch for more news on this topic in the future.

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Another Earthbag Structure Survives Nepal Quake

This earthbag shelter in Badhikhel survived the recent earthquake just fine
This earthbag shelter in Badhikhel survived the recent earthquake just fine

“Hello All,

Our earthbag shelter in Badhikhel (image attached) held up beautifully during the earthquake. The government and aid agencies should consider this building technique in places where manpower / volunteers can be found.”

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Free Earthbag Training for NGOs May 23/24

Free earthbag workshop in Thailand for NGOs and building professionals who are going to help rebuild Nepal. Dates for first 2 day workshop: May 23, 24, 2015 (hurry, that’s only one week from now!) Trainer contact information: Owen Geiger at naturalhouses [AT] gmail.com *Email me for workshop details. Hotel: $12/person Meals: $1-$3 Emphasis is on … Read more