Research. Resilience. Responsibility.

Combining local tradition with modern science to create safer, greener constructions worldwide.

Research. Resilience. Responsibility.

Combining local tradition with modern science to create safer, greener constructions worldwide.

Research. Resilience. Responsibility.

Combining local tradition with modern science to create safer, greener constructions worldwide.

Who we are

Our mission in action.

Who we are

Our mission in action.

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

Safer building.

Our approach

Safer building.

Our approach

Safer building.

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We update outdated codes and adapt traditional techniques with natural materials.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

Learning. Improving. Sharing.

Our philosophy

Learning. Improving. Sharing.

Our philosophy

Learning. Improving. Sharing.

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

Researchers. Builders. Educators.

Meet the team

Researchers. Builders. Educators.

Meet the team

Researchers. Builders. Educators.

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

UNESCO Centre for Water Law Policy and Science, Scotland

Dr. Rui Marques

ISISE, University do Minho, Portugal

Prof. Sergey Churilov

Ss. Cyril and Methodius University, 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

How you can help.

Contribute

How you can help.

Contribute

How you can help.

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

Donate today with tax benefits.

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

Donate today with tax benefits.

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

Donate today with tax benefits.

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

Where your donation goes.

Open books

Where your donation goes.

Open books

Where your donation goes.

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

Results that speak for themselves.

Our impact

Results that speak for themselves.

Our impact

Results that speak for themselves.

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

Wed love to hear from you.

Contact us

Wed love to hear from you.

Contact us

Wed love to hear from you.

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Partners making a difference with us.

Partners making a difference with us.

Partners making a difference with us.