Sustainable technology Low technology works best Our aim is to promote building practices that can be maintained indefinitely. So they mustn't require expensive materials or complex equipment. We aim to make maximum use of the local human and physical resources. Earth bricks Our simple brick presses use soil mixed with just 5% cement. The inter-locking bricks are hand pressed - often by the village women. They have a beautiful, earthy feel. In keeping with our low-tech philosophy, if a brick press needs fixing the nearest blacksmith can do it. That's sustainable technology. Environmental Savings The bricks are air-cured so there is no need for expensive kilns or firewood. This saves 1000kg of wood for every 1000 bricks (allowing 800kg of carbon to stay locked up in trees). And a typical school uses over 20,000 bricks! Locally made roof tiles We also train people to make high quality roof tiles from local materials and cement. The tiles are durable, good looking and match the brick walls. Best of all, they result in much cooler interiors than the expensive and imported corrugated iron sheets often used in Africa. Like the bricks, they are made at the point-of-need, so there is no transportation cost or kiln to fire. Technology previous page next page