March 2008 | On Our Radar
Domes to the Rescue
By Andrea Manitsas
Hildebrand Construction’s solution to the global housing crisis that ballparks, at minimum, 1.5 billion people in sub-standard or homeless living conditions: the EcoShell Dome. It’s quick (think 100 homes in 100 days). It’s economical (requires far fewer materials than a traditional house, approx. 50 percent less, and employs local populations). It’s sturdy (against even the harshest of elements, plus fire, mold and insects). It’s adaptable (to environmental and social needs). It’s sustainable (limited use of non-renewable resources, energy efficient and built with longevity in mind). And it’s pretty cool looking (albeit mildly spaceage-esque).
To demonstrate that an aptitude for construction isn’t needed to throw up an Eco Dome, making the structure accessible to communities across the globe, consider the building process: A reusable airform is attached and inflated, to which rebar and then concrete are affixed. Once dry, the airform’s deflated, and a finish cement is applied to both the exterior and the interior. Et voilà! We think our editorial staff could manage one of these (with only minor difficulty).
The EcoShell Dome was conceived for large-scale housing developments and rapid response emergency infrastructure, and, in practice, is already helping displaced families rebuild their lives after unforeseen devastation (we’re not talking just relief work here). In an effort to aid the 1.5 million people left homeless after a 6.3 magnitude earthquake battered the island of Java, Indonesia, in May of 2006, Hildebrand participated in a WANGO funded project to build 72 EcoShells. Some eighteen months later, however, 200,000 families were still living in temporary, shoddy housing.
Partisan to their plight, Hildebrand was compelled to create DOMES FOR HOMES. Their premier program, Java2, is slated to help 23 more families rebuild their lives within their domes. And (hint, hint) for those of you with philanthropic pockets, they are currently in the fundraising process.
On the horizon DOMES FOR HOMES has begun planting seeds in Capetown, South Africa, and Nicaragua, laying the foundation for their crusade: shelter is an inalienable right. To see what you can do, visit domesforhomes.com.
![[Send]](http://seattle.consciouschoice.com/sendlink/send.gif){kind=small}
Recommend this page to a friend
Top Ten pages recommended to friends:
