The Kuwait-based firm sought to satisfy three main requirements in this prototype for one of the Gulf’s largest developers, who aims to develop 1 million square meters of land in this pristine part of the country: economic viability, environmental sustainability and social upliftment. The developer agreed, so SSSH sought the green building expertise of the California Institute of Earth Art and Architecture (Cal-Earth) originally found by Nader Khalili.  

Cal-Earth conducted on site training programs in earth architecture in the Shuwaimia fishing village, attracting a throng of curious onlookers. After a five day open house period, the contractor hired five of the locals to help build the triple vault and eco-dome structure.

The dome is a prototype proposed by SSH to the developer as the most viable type of architecture likely to draw high-end customers seeking an authentic experience in this 30 km stretch of untouched beachfront.

For this project, all kinds of local materials were game: the team experimented with using old fishing nets mixed in with plaster and local stone for the flooring, and they scoured Oman for authentic decorative items in order to put the dome into its proper cultural context.

In addition to giving local builders new skills, a palm-weaving workshop was installed on site for women, giving the community an enormous sense of pride for having contributed to this beautiful construction.

It is solar-powered and has a separate water heater, as well as an internal wind tower, and the 50cm thick walls ensure the temperature inside is very comfortable.

SSH is working with the American University of Beirut to monitor the climatic conditions inside the new building, which will be used as an educational tool for academic institutions in Oman.

This is a groundbreaking initiative, not only because there is an earthen eco-resort in Oman, but because it has been sanctioned by a massive developer. Which means that instead of destroying yet another majestic plot of land with ugly concrete and glass monstrosities, Oman will be able to keep some of its allure with a series of healthy structures that give back – economically, environmentally, and socially.

We’re not sure what Nader Khalili would think of his earth buildings, which were originally conceived to help the poor and to survive conditions in space, being used in a leisure context, but we think this definitely beats the alternative. And clearly, the judges think so too.

The post Nader Khalili-inspired Eco Resort in Oman Wins Big Accolades at WAF appeared first on Green Prophet.

Now Hooman Fazly and Robert Gordon from Cal-Earth will be conducting an afternoon lecture tomorrow at the Khaldiya Campus of Kuwait University, where they will team up with Principal Architect Waleed Shalaan to teach students about the eco-dome. 

An Iranian architect and lover of Rumi, Nader Khalili designed and constructed small dome shelters made of earth as a cost effective, environmentally-friendly housing solution that stands up to the fiercest natural disasters. Earth bag construction a la Khalili is so-well respected that NASA has regularly touted its lunar and martian potential.

Every year here on earth, hundreds of people from all walks of life travel to Cal-Earth’s base in Hesperia, California to learn how to make their own homes out of earth. Plumbers, bookkeepers, and astrophysicists are all welcome, since programs offered by the non-profit organization rest on three basic premises:

1. Shelter is a basic human right;
2. Every human being should be able to build their own home; and
3. The best way to provide shelter for the exponentially increase human population is to build with earth.

But traveling to California is not always feasible, so Cal-Earth has set up a schedule of international workshops that expands their reach. This year, full, one-week workshops are being offered in Spain and Colombia, and tomorrow, Kuwaiti students will be treated to a brief introduction.

From 3-4pm, there will be an academic and technical presentation for KU students in auditorium 119 next to AlAhli Bank, and from 6-9pm, a presentation and exhibition of eco-dome construction is open to the general public.

Albeit a general primer, there’s a strong chance that attendees will walk away feeling like Hooman Fazly did when he first began his long-term apprenticeship with Cal-Earth in 1993 – that earth-bag construction is the only viable solution to pressing financial, housing and environmental concerns.

:: Architecture of Kuwait

More on Earth Architecture:

Nader Khalili Built Earth-Buildings Fit for Space

13 Principles of Sustainable Architecture from Nader Khalili Student

First Earth: Uncompromising Ecological Architecture (Free Movie)

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