Combining local tradition with modern science to create safer, greener constructions worldwide.
Combining local tradition with modern science to create safer, greener constructions worldwide.
Combining local tradition with modern science to create safer, greener constructions worldwide.
Who we are
Who we are
We are a non-governmental organization with ANBI (Public Benefit Organization) status — granted only to groups dedicated almost entirely to serving the public good.
Our work supports environmental and sustainability goals. We improve and simplify technical knowledge, making it accessible to everyone.
2005
Post-disaster reconstruction of 170 houses on Sri Lanka’s east coast.
2010
Construction of earthquake resistant buildings in Nepal.
2015
All our projects in Nepal withstood the earthquakes without damage.
2020
Pioneering research on stone masonry buildings.
2025
Comparing carbon emissions of traditional seismic techniques.
2005
Post-disaster reconstruction of 170 houses on Sri Lanka’s east coast.
2010
Construction of earthquake resistant buildings in Nepal.
2015
All our projects in Nepal withstood the earthquakes without damage.
2020
Pioneering research on stone masonry buildings.
2025
Comparing carbon emissions of traditional seismic techniques.
2005
Post-disaster reconstruction of 170 houses on Sri Lanka’s east coast.
2010
Construction of earthquake resistant buildings in Nepal.
2015
All our projects in Nepal withstood the earthquakes without damage.
2020
Pioneering research on stone masonry buildings.
2025
Comparing carbon emissions of traditional seismic techniques.
Our approach
Our approach
Our approach
Everyone deserves a safe home in a healthy environment — wherever they live. But with housing demand rising, costs climbing, and climate change affecting us all, safer practices and eco-friendly solutions are more urgent than ever. That is why we focus on resilience, sustainability, and open access to knowledge.
We invite experts and learners to rethink low-tech seismic construction, through collaboration, insight, and shared solutions.
Safer construction
Revise codes and improve building practices
We update outdated codes and adapt traditional techniques with natural materials. This ensures safe, reliable constructions that withstand earthquakes and disasters.
Safer construction
Revise codes and improve building practices
We update outdated codes and adapt traditional techniques with natural materials. This ensures safe, reliable constructions that withstand earthquakes and disasters.
Safer construction
Revise codes and improve building practices
We update outdated codes and adapt traditional techniques with natural materials. This ensures safe, reliable constructions that withstand earthquakes and disasters.
Sustainable by design
Promoting natural and alternative materials
We promote safe, eco-friendly design solutions that reduce global carbon emissions. By blending tradition with innovation, we create healthier living environments for people and planet.
Sustainable by design
Promoting natural and alternative materials
We promote safe, eco-friendly design solutions that reduce global carbon emissions. By blending tradition with innovation, we create healthier living environments for people and planet.
Sustainable by design
Promoting natural and alternative materials
We promote safe, eco-friendly design solutions that reduce global carbon emissions. By blending tradition with innovation, we create healthier living environments for people and planet.
100% open source
Sharing what works, freely
We share our research, teaching, and design resources freely. Open access ensures that students, builders, and communities everywhere can build safer, stronger, and more sustainable.
100% open source
Sharing what works, freely
We share our research, teaching, and design resources freely. Open access ensures that students, builders, and communities everywhere can build safer, stronger, and more sustainable.
100% open source
Sharing what works, freely
We share our research, teaching, and design resources freely. Open access ensures that students, builders, and communities everywhere can build safer, stronger, and more sustainable.
Our philosophy
Our philosophy
Our philosophy
Learn
We study traditional practices, test materials, and gather insights from communities and experts in seismic regions.
Improve
We upgrade traditional methods with modern solutions — keeping their strengths while adding new developments.
Share
We give back by making our results free to use, so students, builders, and communities everywhere can benefit.
Meet the team
Meet the team
Meet the team
Our founders.
Dr. Martijn Schildkamp
Founder and director
Dutch architect and building engineer with a passion for seismic-safe, traditional construction using natural materials. Drawing from years of grassroots experience across developing countries he wears many hats. As an architect, engineer, lecturer, trainer, and hands-on mason, he brings his wealth of knowledge to life. In 2021, he earned his Ph.D. with groundbreaking research on global seismic assessments of rubble stone buildings. He shares his knowledge with students and professionals worldwide, promoting safer, more sustainable building practices.
Dr. Martijn Schildkamp
Founder and director
Dutch architect and building engineer with a passion for seismic-safe, traditional construction using natural materials. Drawing from years of grassroots experience across developing countries he wears many hats. As an architect, engineer, lecturer, trainer, and hands-on mason, he brings his wealth of knowledge to life. In 2021, he earned his Ph.D. with groundbreaking research on global seismic assessments of rubble stone buildings. He shares his knowledge with students and professionals worldwide, promoting safer, more sustainable building practices.
Dr. Martijn Schildkamp
Founder and director
Dutch architect and building engineer with a passion for seismic-safe, traditional construction using natural materials. Drawing from years of grassroots experience across developing countries he wears many hats. As an architect, engineer, lecturer, trainer, and hands-on mason, he brings his wealth of knowledge to life. In 2021, he earned his Ph.D. with groundbreaking research on global seismic assessments of rubble stone buildings. He shares his knowledge with students and professionals worldwide, promoting safer, more sustainable building practices.
Tessa van Weelie
Co-founder
The driving force behind coordination at Smart Shelter Foundation. Since 2007, she has been involved in every project, applying her expertise in planning and execution to ensure our work is carried out efficiently and effectively across all departments. Known for her strong communication skills and boundless enthusiasm.
Tessa van Weelie
Co-founder
The driving force behind coordination at Smart Shelter Foundation. Since 2007, she has been involved in every project, applying her expertise in planning and execution to ensure our work is carried out efficiently and effectively across all departments. Known for her strong communication skills and boundless enthusiasm.
Tessa van Weelie
Co-founder
The driving force behind coordination at Smart Shelter Foundation. Since 2007, she has been involved in every project, applying her expertise in planning and execution to ensure our work is carried out efficiently and effectively across all departments. Known for her strong communication skills and boundless enthusiasm.
International Team.
Dr. Liam McCarton
Director Engineers Without Borders
Prof. Yoshikazu Araki
Kyoto University, Japan
Prof. Stefano Silvestri
University of Bologna, Italy
Prof. Guido Magenes
Istituto Universitario di Studi Superiori, Pavia, Italy
Prof. Flavia de Luca
University of Bristol, UK
Dr. Raffaele de Risi
University of Bristol, UK
Prof. Vaibhav Singhal
Indian Institute of Technology Patna, India
Prof. Hemant Kaushik
Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati, India
Dr. Nandan Mukherjee
Binks Institute for Sustainability, Scotland
Dr. Rui Marques
Independent researcher, Portugal
Prof. Sergey Churilov
Ss. Cyril and Methodius University in Skopje, North Macedonia
Dr. Safak Arslantürkoglu
LEO Consulting, Switzerland
Struct. Engr. Cong-Ming Zhong
Arup International, Shanghai, China
Struct. Engr. Sebastian Kaminski
Arup Engineers London, UK
Struct. Engr. Carlo Citto
Atkinson-Noland & Associates Inc., USA
Prof. Witiya Pittungnapoo
Research unit for Climate Change Adaptation, Thailand
Dr. Anish Ghimire
Asian Institute of Technology, Thailand
Prof. Marcial Blondet
Pontificia Universidad Católica del Perú, Peru
Contribute
Contribute
Contribute
Support our mission
Donate today and help drive change
Make a change today. Your donation supports our research and helps build a safer, more sustainable world.
Support our mission
Donate today and help drive change
Make a change today. Your donation supports our research and helps build a safer, more sustainable world.
Support our mission
Donate today and help drive change
Make a change today. Your donation supports our research and helps build a safer, more sustainable world.
Make a lasting impact
Partner with us
Help us advance safer, more sustainable construction worldwide. Become a Gold Sponsor or contribute through 1% for the Planet.
Make a lasting impact
Partner with us
Help us advance safer, more sustainable construction worldwide. Become a Gold Sponsor or contribute through 1% for the Planet.
Make a lasting impact
Partner with us
Help us advance safer, more sustainable construction worldwide. Become a Gold Sponsor or contribute through 1% for the Planet.
Ride and receive
Komoot - Torino Nice Rally donations and patches
When you donate, you receive a TNR patch and a Komoot Premium voucher for digital maps — our way of saying thanks.
Ride and receive
Komoot - Torino Nice Rally donations and patches
When you donate, you receive a TNR patch and a Komoot Premium voucher for digital maps — our way of saying thanks.
Ride and receive
Komoot - Torino Nice Rally donations and patches
When you donate, you receive a TNR patch and a Komoot Premium voucher for digital maps — our way of saying thanks.
The Netherlands
Smart Shelter Foundation is a registered Public Benefit Organization (ANBI). Your gift may be tax-deductible for Dutch income tax purposes. Check your tax advantage with the benefits calculator below.
The Netherlands
Smart Shelter Foundation is a registered Public Benefit Organization (ANBI). Your gift may be tax-deductible for Dutch income tax purposes. Check your tax advantage with the benefits calculator below.
The Netherlands
Smart Shelter Foundation is a registered Public Benefit Organization (ANBI). Your gift may be tax-deductible for Dutch income tax purposes. Check your tax advantage with the benefits calculator below.
Open books
Open books
Open books
Your trust is our priority. Our annual reports provide a clear public record of every expenditure, showing how your support creates real-world impact.
Other costs
[1]
Fundraising & PR
[2]
Research costs
[3]
Other costs
[1]
Fundraising & PR
[2]
Research costs
[3]
Other costs
[1]
Fundraising & PR
[2]
Research costs
[3]
2024 financial breakdown of SSF
2024 financial breakdown of SSF
2024 financial breakdown of SSF
Our impact
Our impact
Our impact
Resilient schools
Our 15 schools and hostel for blind students in Nepal withstood the 2015 earthquakes without any significant damage.
Resilient schools
Our 15 schools and hostel for blind students in Nepal withstood the 2015 earthquakes without any significant damage.
Resilient schools
Our 15 schools and hostel for blind students in Nepal withstood the 2015 earthquakes without any significant damage.
Environmental research
In our case study, a school built with rubble stone masonry consumes 63% less cement and 80% less steel than a reinforced concrete frame school.
Environmental research
In our case study, a school built with rubble stone masonry consumes 63% less cement and 80% less steel than a reinforced concrete frame school.
Environmental research
In our case study, a school built with rubble stone masonry consumes 63% less cement and 80% less steel than a reinforced concrete frame school.
Scientific impact
Our scientific papers rank in the top 1–3% for views and downloads in the Frontiers open-access journal.
Scientific impact
Our scientific papers rank in the top 1–3% for views and downloads in the Frontiers open-access journal.
Scientific impact
Our scientific papers rank in the top 1–3% for views and downloads in the Frontiers open-access journal.
Contact us
Contact us
Contact us
Have something to ask us?
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Partners making a difference with us.
Partners making a difference with us.
Partners making a difference with us.
© 2025 SSF
Made with love in Portugal by Significa 🧡
© 2025 SSF
Made with love in Portugal by Significa 🧡
© 2025 SSF
Made with love in Portugal by Significa 🧡