Natural Materials.
Global Impact.
A sustainable future isn't just about building green — it is about building smart, by blending tradition with eco-friendly design.
Natural Materials.
Global Impact.
A sustainable future isn't just about building green — it is about building smart, by blending tradition with eco-friendly design.
Natural Materials.
Global Impact.
We’re building a sustainable future through tradition, eco-friendly design, and the responsible use of natural resources.
Challenges
Challenges
4 billion tons
[1]
of CO₂ are released each year from concrete production, making it a major driver of climate change. Concrete is the second most used material on Earth after water.
4 billion tons
[1]
of CO₂ are released each year from concrete production, making it a major driver of climate change. Concrete is the second most used material on Earth after water.
4 billion tons
[1]
of CO₂ are released each year from concrete production, making it a major driver of climate change. Concrete is the second most used material on Earth after water.
50 billion tons
[2]
of sand are mined each year — more than the total weight of all plants and animals on Earth — causing widespread environmental and social harm.
50 billion tons
[2]
of sand are mined each year — more than the total weight of all plants and animals on Earth — causing widespread environmental and social harm.
50 billion tons
[2]
of sand are mined each year — more than the total weight of all plants and animals on Earth — causing widespread environmental and social harm.
900 kg of CO₂
[3]
is released for every 1,000 kg of cement produced — making the cement industry responsible for 7% to 9% of global carbon emissions.
900 kg of CO₂
[3]
is released for every 1,000 kg of cement produced — making the cement industry responsible for 7% to 9% of global carbon emissions.
900 kg of CO₂
[3]
is released for every 1,000 kg of cement produced — making the cement industry responsible for 7% to 9% of global carbon emissions.
1.89 tons of CO₂
[4]
are emitted for every ton of steel produced — making steel responsible for 7% up to 9% of global carbon emissions.
1.89 tons of CO₂
[4]
are emitted for every ton of steel produced — making steel responsible for 7% up to 9% of global carbon emissions.
1.89 tons of CO₂
[4]
are emitted for every ton of steel produced — making steel responsible for 7% up to 9% of global carbon emissions.
15% of freshwater
[5]
consumption is used each year by buildings and construction — a significant contribution to the growing global water crisis.
15% of freshwater
[5]
consumption is used each year by buildings and construction — a significant contribution to the growing global water crisis.
15% of freshwater
[5]
consumption is used each year by buildings and construction — a significant contribution to the growing global water crisis.
7 million people die
[6]
each year from outdoor air pollution (vehicles, industries, burning of crops) and poorly ventilated indoor environments.
7 million people die
[6]
each year from outdoor air pollution (vehicles, industries, burning of crops) and poorly ventilated indoor environments.
7 million people die
[6]
each year from outdoor air pollution (vehicles, industries, burning of crops) and poorly ventilated indoor environments.
Our mission
For more than 20 years, Smart Shelter Foundation is dedicated to designing, building, and promoting environmentally sustainable alternatives. These efforts aren't just about innovation — they are about creating a healthier planet for us all.
Our mission
For more than 20 years, Smart Shelter Foundation is dedicated to designing, building, and promoting environmentally sustainable alternatives. These efforts aren't just about innovation — they are about creating a healthier planet for us all.
Our mission
For more than 20 years, Smart Shelter Foundation is dedicated to designing, building, and promoting environmentally sustainable alternatives. These efforts aren't just about innovation — they are about creating a healthier planet for us all.
Eco awareness
Natural and locally sourced
We promote natural, local materials, such as earth, stone, and wood, over carbon-intensive materials like concrete and steel.
Eco awareness
Natural and locally sourced
We promote natural, local materials, such as earth, stone, and wood, over carbon-intensive materials like concrete and steel.
Eco awareness
Natural and locally sourced
We promote natural, local materials, such as earth, stone, and wood, over carbon-intensive materials like concrete and steel.
Circular building
Reduce, reuse and recycle
We build with resourcefulness. We replaced sand with quarry dust in India and reused mountain stones and wooden frames in Nepal.
Circular building
Reduce, reuse and recycle
We build with resourcefulness. We replaced sand with quarry dust in India and reused mountain stones and wooden frames in Nepal.
Circular building
Reduce, reuse and recycle
We build with resourcefulness. We replaced sand with quarry dust in India and reused mountain stones and wooden frames in Nepal.
Nature-based solutions
Passive energy concepts
We invite students to investigate the integration of innovative solutions that maximize daylight, optimize shading, and enhance natural ventilation.
Nature-based solutions
Passive energy concepts
We invite students to investigate the integration of innovative solutions that maximize daylight, optimize shading, and enhance natural ventilation.
Nature-based solutions
Passive energy concepts
We invite students to investigate the integration of innovative solutions that maximize daylight, optimize shading, and enhance natural ventilation.
Climate action
Our latest research compares the costs, material quantities, and carbon footprints of four earthquake-resistant school buildings in Nepal. A case study showed that a school built with rubble stone masonry consumed 63% less cement and 80% less steel than a reinforced concrete frame school.
Climate action
Our latest research compares the costs, material quantities, and carbon footprints of four earthquake-resistant school buildings in Nepal. A case study showed that a school built with rubble stone masonry consumed 63% less cement and 80% less steel than a reinforced concrete frame school.
Climate action
Our latest research compares the costs, material quantities, and carbon footprints of four earthquake-resistant school buildings in Nepal. A case study showed that a school built with rubble stone masonry consumed 63% less cement and 80% less steel than a reinforced concrete frame school.
Student workshops
Join our free, four-day student workshop and connect with up to 50 students from around the globe. Learn about green building, disaster management, and seismic construction from experts, then put your skills to the test in a collaborative design challenge. Dates for 2025 are coming soon!
Student workshops
Join our free, four-day student workshop and connect with up to 50 students from around the globe. Learn about green building, disaster management, and seismic construction from experts, then put your skills to the test in a collaborative design challenge. Dates for 2025 are coming soon!
Student workshops
Join our free, four-day student workshop and connect with up to 50 students from around the globe. Learn about green building, disaster management, and seismic construction from experts, then put your skills to the test in a collaborative design challenge. Dates for 2025 are coming soon!
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.
Together
Together
Together
Greener schools
Built with stabilized earth blocks, our school is 30% cheaper and more sustainable than comparable brick or concrete buildings.
Greener schools
Built with stabilized earth blocks, our school is 30% cheaper and more sustainable than comparable brick or concrete buildings.
Greener schools
Built with stabilized earth blocks, our school is 30% cheaper and more sustainable than comparable brick or concrete buildings.
Student assignments
We invite students to investigate the carbon footprints and health impacts of natural and alternative materials.
Student assignments
We invite students to investigate the carbon footprints and health impacts of natural and alternative materials.
Student assignments
We invite students to investigate the carbon footprints and health impacts of natural and alternative materials.
Scientific papers
Explore the learning hub and download our peer-reviewed results.
Scientific papers
Explore the learning hub and download our peer-reviewed results.
Scientific papers
Explore the learning hub and download our peer-reviewed results.
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 🧡