Safe Houses

November 5, 2010

Courtesy National Geographic

I was excited to have found this article while leafing through National Geographic.  Having first hand experience with earthquakes (yes we were here and on the 13th floor for the 8.8 earthquake that hit Chile on February 27th) I have an even greater appreciation for designing in a fault zone.  

Marcel Blondet of Catholic University in Peru has been researching how to provide safe housing, applying a few general principles, that is cheap all while using local materials such as straw, adobe, or old tires.

After visiting rural Peru a few months ago, and seeing their amazing sun dried, handmade bricks, I can't help but think some of these simple ideas surly could be applicable.

Courtesy of National Geographic