$150 homes revive ancient techniques to fight climate crisis

Photos: Nubian vaults
Desert storm – Deforestation and climate change has drastically reduced the supply of wood and straw in the Sahel region of Sub-Saharan Africa.
Among the damaging effects of this is a shortage of material to build and maintain homes, and millions now suffer in sub-standard housing.
Among the damaging effects of this is a shortage of material to build and maintain homes, and millions now suffer in sub-standard housing.
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Photos: Nubian vaults
Out of place – Many families have been forced to use corrugated iron instead, which is far more expensive and ill-suited to the climate, making homes that boil in summer and freeze in winter.
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Photos: Nubian vaults
Dirt cheap – A novel solution from NGO La Voute Nubienne (Nubian Vault) is to revive the architectural techniques practiced by the ancient Nubian civilization over 3,000 years ago.
The method uses earth-based bricks and mortar to construct superior homes at minimal expense.
The method uses earth-based bricks and mortar to construct superior homes at minimal expense.
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Photos: Nubian vaults
Rapid response – The homes are based on a foundation of rocks but require no imported materials. They can be constructed in 15 days for as little as $150.
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Photos: Nubian vaults
Work force – The NGO has a market-based approach to proliferating the Nubian vault homes. It has trained over 500 masons and hundreds more apprentices who can respond to public demand and train a new generation.
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Photos: Nubian vaults
Spreading the word – Around 20,000 people now live in Nubian vaults across five countries where the program is being implemented; Burkina Faso, Mali, Senegal, Benin and Ghana, with plans to expand into new countries.
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