Cal-Earth Inc
earth turns to gold in the hands of the wise. -Rumi
Programs and results
What we aim to solve
CalEarth is committed to providing solutions to the human need for shelter through research, development, and education in earth architecture. We envision a world in which every person is empowered to build a safe and sustainable home with their own hands, using the earth under their feet.
Our programs
What are the organization's current programs, how do they measure success, and who do the programs serve?
SuperAdobe Relief Initiatives
SuperAdobe is a powerful tool in the ght against the global housing crisis. It is currently used across the globe in ways that have helped rebuild communities facing a housing crisis. The education provided by CalEarth has empowered hundreds of people to found humanitarian projects for those in need.
SuperAdobe Workshops
SuperAdobe: Powerful Simplicity
SuperAdobe combines ancient building techniques with basic architectural principles, and the results are earthquake, re, and ood resistant structures that can range from a one-person pod to a fully modernized home. Using sandbags, barbed wire and the earth beneath your feet, SuperAdobe is a truly affordable and sustainable way to build homes anywhere on the planet.
Where we work
External reviews
Videos
Goals & Strategy
Learn about the organization's key goals, strategies, capabilities, and progress.
Charting impact
Four powerful questions that require reflection about what really matters - results.
What is the organization aiming to accomplish?
The global housing shortage currently includes 20-40 million refugees and displaced persons, and hundreds of millions more who live in substandard or slum housing. With compounding environmental challenges and the acceleration of natural and man-made disasters, this shortage will only become more severe in the coming decades.
To meet this pressing need, CalEarth develops and educates the public in self-help, environmentally sustainable building designs, houses anyone can build with their own two hands, using locally available earth, sandbags and barbed wire, that meet modern-day standards for safety, beauty, energy efficiency, and comfort.
Recently, California has been hit hard by destructive wildfires that have ravaged through the state, burning down entire homes and causing billions of dollars in damage. CalEarth seeks to meet the immediate need of wildfire victims by providing access to the entire SuperAdobe building curriculum for free. This curriculum offers a sustainable building option for those seeking to rebuild.
What are the organization's key strategies for making this happen?
Based in Hesperia, California, CalEarth trains hundreds of people each year through on-site, international, and web-based educational programs. Our alumni have helped share earth building with communities in 54 countries across the globe, and our workshops have been held on five continents. Youth programs at CalEarth foster respect for the environment and an awareness of sustainability practices. As we teach, we also learn and continue our research and exploration of SuperAdobe’s potential.
In addition, for those in emergency shelter situations, CalEarth developed the “Duffle Bag Dome.” This kit includes all the tools and materials needed to build a 6-foot emergency shelter and train 15 builders, all in two 35-pound duffle bags.
What are the organization's capabilities for doing this?
SuperAdobe combines ancient building techniques with basic architectural principles, and the results are earthquake, fire and flood resistant structures that range from a 1-person pod to a fully modernized home. SuperAdobe is a truly affordable and sustainable way to build homes anywhere on the planet.
Our founder, Nader Khalili (1936-2008) was a world-renowned Iranian-American architect, author, humanitarian, teacher, and innovator of the Geltaftan Earth-and-Fire system known as Ceramic Houses, and of the SuperAdobe construction system. Khalili received his philosophy and architectural education in Iran, Turkey and the United States.
CalEarth’s designs have been studied by NASA, endorsed and used by the United Nations, featured in countless world media outlets and awarded the prestigious Aga Khan Award for Architecture. Our SuperAdobe building system (U.S. Patent #5,934,027) integrates traditional earth architecture with contemporary global safety requirements, and has passed severe earthquake code tests in California.
What have they accomplished so far and what's next?
CalEarth is currently in the process of raising funds to improve the accessibility of our Hesperia campus by making several capital improvements. We also have plans to expand the campus to include additional student housing and classrooms.
calearth.org
Financials
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Operations
The people, governance practices, and partners that make the organization tick.
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Connect with nonprofit leaders
SubscribeBuild relationships with key people who manage and lead nonprofit organizations with GuideStar Pro. Try a low commitment monthly plan today.
- Analyze a variety of pre-calculated financial metrics
- Access beautifully interactive analysis and comparison tools
- Compare nonprofit financials to similar organizations
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Cal-Earth Inc
Board of directorsas of 08/16/2021
Dastan Khalili
Sheefteh Khalili
Chimera Robinson
County of Los Angeles
Pam Augustus
LAJ Design & Events
Peter Harper
Independent Artist