Researching Resilience.

Supporting Change.

We research and test non-engineered, vernacular techniques to make them safer and earthquake-resilient

Supporting change.

We investigate how traditional building methods can be strengthened through science. Every project is a step toward safer, smarter, and more inclusive construction.

Supporting change.

We’re building a sustainable future through tradition, eco-friendly design, and the responsible use of natural resources.

Non-engineered

Seismic design.

Non-engineered refers to buildings that are “spontaneously and informally constructed in the traditional manner, without any or little intervention by qualified architects and engineers” (A.S. Arya, 2000). This is also known as vernacular architecture. Imagine the global impact if we can prove that non-engineered building techniques can stand up to major earthquakes. If with simple interventions, we can make homes and schools stronger, faster to build, more affordable — and better for the planet.

Non-engineered

Seismic design.

Non-engineered

Seismic design.

Challenges

We can't ignore.

Earthquake safety in non-engineered construction is one of the most urgent but overlooked problems.
These are the gaps we are tackling:

We invite experts and learners to rethink low-tech seismic construction, through collaboration, insight, and shared solutions.

Neglected in research

[1]

Less than 1%

of global seismic research focuses on non-engineered construction in high-risk developing countries.

Neglected in research

[1]

Less than 1%

of global seismic research focuses on non-engineered construction in high-risk developing countries.

Outdated resources

[2]

Since the 1980s

most non-engineered seismic knowledge has not been updated, despite decades of devastating earthquakes.

Outdated resources

[2]

Since the 1980s

most non-engineered seismic knowledge has not been updated, despite decades of devastating earthquakes.

Housing crisis

[3]

2.8 billion people

lack adequate housing — a third of humanity — of which 1.1 billion live in slums or informal settlements.

Housing crisis

[3]

2.8 billion people

lack adequate housing — a third of humanity — of which 1.1 billion live in slums or informal settlements.

Real problems

Real solutions.

How we make it work

We turn assumptions into proven solutions by investigating seismic safety questions that are left unanswered: How large can a stone house safely be? How many horizontal bands are needed? Do vertical steel bars really work? We validate these issues through fieldwork, advanced testing, and computer modeling.

Our unique method

We work with real-world local conditions like poor workmanship, weak mortars, and low-strength masonry. For which we develop test standards and validation methods that are currently non-existent. This bridges the gap between traditional building methods and modern practice.

Global approach

We translate our validated research into clear codes and practical guidelines. This empowers local masons, architects, and engineers to build safer and stronger homes and schools. Our work, reviewed by a team of global experts, is a blueprint for low-tech, high-impact construction.

Explore

Our research.

Join us in testing vernacular techniques, strengthening buildings against earthquakes, analyzing costs, and evaluating sustainability — turning local practices into safer global solutions.

Explore

Our research.

Join us in testing vernacular techniques, strengthening buildings against earthquakes, analyzing costs, and evaluating sustainability — turning local practices into safer global solutions.

SMARTnet

Seismic Methodologies for Applied Research and Testing of non-engineered techniques

SMARTnet

Seismic Methodologies for Applied Research and Testing of non-engineered techniques

4HRM

Assessing the role of horizontal bands in rubble stone masonry

4HRM

Assessing the role of horizontal bands in rubble stone masonry

Material testing

Obtaining material properties of low-strength mortars and random rubble stone masonry

Material testing

Obtaining material properties of low-strength mortars and random rubble stone masonry

Out-of-plane assessments

Rubble stone masonry buildings with horizontal bands

Out-of-plane assessments

Rubble stone masonry buildings with horizontal bands

Life Cycle Assessments

Comparing carbon emissions of four earthquake resistant school typologies in Nepal

Life Cycle Assessments

Comparing carbon emissions of four earthquake resistant school typologies in Nepal

Benchmarking

Mechanical properties of stone masonry panels for seismic modeling

Benchmarking

Mechanical properties of stone masonry panels for seismic modeling

Cost analysis

Comparing costs of earthquake resistant features in various school designs in Nepal

Cost analysis

Comparing costs of earthquake resistant features in various school designs in Nepal

Join us

Experts and professionals.

We welcome experts, professionals, and academics to advance non-engineered construction in seismic regions — through collaboration, exchange of knowledge, and shared solutions.

We invite experts and learners to rethink low-tech seismic construction, through collaboration, insight, and shared solutions.

Call to action

Areas of collaboration

Low-tech earthquake engineering

Low-strength material testing

Seismic modeling of structures

Rubble stone masonry

Natural building materials

Non-engineered techniques

Reuse and recycling in construction