Sustainable human settlements Archives < Natural Building Collective

Q&A with Anita Venter | Shack replacement initiative in Bloemfontein

Tarien Roux — Wed, 09 Aug 2017 11:45:37 +0000

In honour of women's day we asked Anita Venter a few questions about her grassroots development initiative using sustainable building methods in Bloemfontein. We have great admiration for the shack replacement initiative and what she has done to empower her change agents to become more self-sufficient and build community in her local context.

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Guest post: Hybrid alternative and natural building blocks at the Delft ECD (Early Childhood Development Centre)

Peter McIntosh — Thu, 23 Feb 2017 11:33:54 +0000

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Passive Solar Design Strategies with Thermal Mass and Natural Insulation

Peter McIntosh — Fri, 11 Sep 2015 09:42:07 +0000

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The dynamic qualities of African Vernacular Architecture

Peter McIntosh — Tue, 16 Jun 2015 11:36:19 +0000

The first thing that must be understood about African vernacular architecture is the great diversity that exists with both materials and techniques. People build according to climate but more importantly, with what materials are available locally.

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Owner-builder journey | A home that would grow a forest

Franz Muhl — Sun, 05 Apr 2015 13:06:00 +0000

Five years ago, Peter McIntosh gave me +- 900 sun-baked mud bricks, for an extension to my house. With little start up money, a trickle of income, some plans on google sketch up, a pickaxe and, most importantly, plenty of time, I finally started the process a year ago...

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Appropriate green building technologies as a catalyst for social change in creating climate change resilient communities

QPT Qala Phelang Tala — Thu, 20 Nov 2014 13:15:22 +0000

The Lebone project objective is to teach green building and social entrepreneurial skills to the youths and selected individuals from marginalised communities. The Lebone Village project in the Mangaung Metro Municipality Lebone Village, established in May 2000, provides a safe haven for orphaned and vulnerable children, and children affected by AIDS and HIV. In addition, […]

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New directions in informal settlement upgrading and community-led sustainable building practices – The Freedom Square shack replacement project – Day 18 (Thursday 2 Oct’14)

QPT Qala Phelang Tala — Sun, 26 Oct 2014 09:32:06 +0000

I came to learn how to build a cob wall; instead I learned the story of my life before I even stepped onto the building site. It was day 18 at the Freedom Square shack replacement building site in Bloemfontein, but my first day on the premises. The walls of Lientjie’s new house were already […]

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Lebone Village launch

QPT Qala Phelang Tala — Tue, 30 Sep 2014 10:20:26 +0000

Imagine being outside on a chilly Free State winter morning with the sun just coming out and starting to gently warm your body. Now imagine being told to take off your shoes in order to trudge in icy cold mud. I glanced at my fellow volunteers and I saw a collective dissent quietly dawn on […]

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