• English
• | Kreyòl |
• Français

Konbit Shelter is a sustainable building project with the objective of sharing knowledge and resources through the creation of homes and community spaces in post earthquake Haiti. We are a group of artists, builders, architects, and engineers, who, after the January 2010 earthquake, asked ourselves how we could use our skills and resources to directly assist another community in a time of crisis.

Our hope is to link our creative passion as artists and our training as architects and engineers with the broad knowledge and skills of local artisans, builders, and farmers. We envision collaboratively creating structures of beauty and joy which utilize the advantages of earth bag and dome architecture as adapted to the climate and conditions of the specific locale.

Watch the building technique.

The super-adobe technique of earth bag architecture is an extraordinary building design for its ability to create earthquake, hurricane, flood, and fire resistant structures, using inexpensive and locally available resources. Originally designed by Nader Khalili and continued by Cal-Earth, the approach specifically addresses the world wide need for adequate housing. This system of building provides an easily replicable model, which can be built without using specialized construction machinery and participated in by the men, women and children of any community. Utilizing 90% earth, and only 10% cement, these structures are stronger than the now common cinder block and concrete slab construction. The technique also uses little to no wood, an invaluable asset in timber depleted Haiti.

Konbit Shelter is partnering with the Mango Grower’s Association of Leogane in the village of Barrier Jeudi, to create the first community center this July and August. By sourcing all materials within Haiti, and raising money to hire a crew of builders from the community to train in the construction style, we intend to bring the kind of assistance that promotes the local economy, creates jobs, and builds valuable skill sets.

The definition of Konbit in Creole is a traditional form of cooperative communal labor in Haiti, whereby the able-bodied folk of a locality help each other prepare their fields. It is a time for solidarity and cooperation in the face of adversity. The Konbit Shelter Project is referencing the word with a global interpretation, people coming together to work cooperatively across national boundaries.

Contact us: konbit.shelter@gmail.com

Follow the Progress on Our Blog

View Project Photos

View a Video of our Building Process

Press