BWB Mission Statement:
Builders Without Borders is an international network of ecological builders who advocate the use of natural, local, and affordable materials in construction. We believe the solution to inadequate shelter is not merely better buildings, but people who know how to build for themselves. To this end, BWB creates educational materials and opportunities to empower communities, organizations and owner-builders.
Since its founding in December of 1999, Builders Without Borders (BWB) has formed a network of ecological builders and other volunteers dedicated to natural building. Our focus is educational and organizational. We connect a network of professionals and volunteers with those in need. We support those working in the field, through providing books, videos, and DVDs, advice, connections with experts, and hands-on training. BWB promotes straw, earth, and other natural building materials, and facilitation techniques that are culturally-sensitive, fun and effective.
Straw bales are highly suitable for solving the housing shortage in economically marginalized communities because of their super-insulating qualities and their low cost as an agricultural waste material. They function as giant building blocks and can be quickly stacked into walls by a volunteer crew with little or no building experience. Plastered with earth they can provide a comfortable and healthful place to live.
However, Builders Without Borders does not prescribe one solution for all situations, but rather a climate appropriate, relationship-based process that allows individuals and communities find their own solutions through dialogue and collaboration. Such a process is:
• Hands-on. Developing practical skills within communities.
• Regionally appropriate. Utilizing local knowledge, skills and materials.
• Cross-fertilizing. Creating a cross-cultural exchange of ideas and techniques.
• Respectful. Empowering local decision making.
Builders Without Borders is a project of Networks Productions, Inc.
Read about BWB in The Last Straw Journal.
Currently BWB offers support to these Partner organizations.
For a list of Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs), click here.
| Board of Advisors Alfred von Bachmayr Joe Costion Joeseph Kennedy Matts Myhrman Dr. Owen Geiger
Steering Committee |
Organizations in our Network Bustan L’Shalom CASBA – California Straw Building Association The Canelo Project COSBA – Colorado Straw Bale Association DCAT – Development Center for Appropriate Technology Ecological Building Network FASBA – the German Straw Bale Association GSBN- Global Straw Building Network OSBBC – Ontario Straw Bale Building Coalition Solar Energy International SBCA – the Straw Bale Construction Association of New Mexico World Citizen Diplomats |
Send all letters, comments and articles to:
Builders Without Borders
119 Kingston Main Street
Hillsboro, NM 88042
email: Contact Us
phone: 510-525-0525
Builders without Borders admires and applauds the work of Doctors Without Borders, but is not affiliated with them.
