The shelters are highly energy-efficient in terms of passive heating and cooling and no timber is used in the construction. Using the enduring form of arches, domes and vaults, this technology is applied to create single and double-curvature shell structures that are both strong and aesthetically pleasing. Although the buildings developed by Cal-Earth have a diverse range of uses and applications, they are particularly appropriate as emergency accommodation, to meet the needs of displaced and homeless people, either in the aftermath of natural disasters or in war-torn areas where there are large numbers of refugees or internally displaced people. Key featuresįour main building types have been developed: emergency shelters, a small house, a three-vaulted system providing a standard three-bedroom home and a thin-shell brick or ceramic dome. It develops and uses simple technology based on eco-friendly and indigenous techniques.

This project carries out hands-on research into sustainable earth architecture through building and testing life-size prototypes and by educating the public in environmental architecture. As pioneers in earth and ceramic architecture technologies, Cal-Earth’s work ranges from technical innovations published by NASA for lunar and Martian construction to housing design and development for the world’s homeless for the United Nations. The Institute is located in the Mojave Desert, 50 miles east of Los Angeles, in an area that frequently experiences extremes of heat and cold, as well as earthquakes and high winds.Ĭal-Earth’s philosophy is based on the equilibrium of the natural elements of earth, water, air and fire and their unity for the benefit of the arts and humanity. In 1991, the internationally renowned architect Nader Khalili founded The Californian Institute of Earth Art and Architecture (The Cal-Earth Institute), a non-profit research and education organisation.

To transfer the approach through education and training.

The building system focuses on the use of eco-friendly and indigenous materials.

To provide environmentally-sustainable housing designs, using simple materials that can be built quickly and easily.

Over 1,000 dwellings have been built and 400 apprentices trained.

Being easily adaptable to local materials, needs and circumstances, the timber-free arches, domes and vaults have been successfully transferred to over twenty countries across the world. Requiring no machinery and minimal training, Cal-Earth’s Sandbag Shelters offer a building system ideally suited to providing earthquake-resistant emergency shelter, but equally effective for constructing family homes.

Sandbag fallout shelter plan