Past editions

Deswos visits projects in Riobamba

2005-07-26T21:38:41+00:00

Winfried Cléver, DESWOS representative for Africa and Latin America, recently visited the Nuca Huasi Project in Riobamba, Ecuador. As well as building and repairing houses, the project educates young masonry apprentices in a two year program. During his visit to three villages he encountered people working on their houses and was able to experience a minga, an ancient system of community voluntary work, where the people were making adobes for their houses.

EcoHabitat competition

2005-07-26T21:58:34+00:00

Toward the end of 2004, the EcoSouth Network opened a competition about the EcoHabitat:”Projects executed and/or architectonic designs with EcoMaterials. Forty-six works were presented and the jury had to plan additional sessions to decided upon the ten finalists. The response was much greater than the organizers could have imagined. Not only the great number of proposals, but also the quality of the work was outstanding. Noteworthy is that all the presentations were in Spanish, even if they were from outside Latin America.

Technology transfer to Mexico

2005-07-26T22:06:20+00:00

During a technology transfer in Mexico, Sergio Betancourt demonstrated possible appropriate solutions for the production of construction materials and elements for popular housing in the state of Michoacán. Feasibility analysis about availability of local materials, theoretical and practical capacitation of project personnel and workers, setting up an integrated pilot production unit, and construction of a scale model at the local fair grounds, were some of the highlights of the mission. respuesta a una mayor cantidad de solicitudes de las familias de menores ingresos.

How to register for EcoMaterials 2005

2005-07-26T22:33:11+00:00

The third edition of the EcoMaterials Conference will take place in Santa Clara from November 14-17, an event that has prompted many questions from visitors to the website. The Frequently Asked Questions are highlighted in an article that treats themes such as how to registrar, costs of the event, accommodation, local activities. As well, it treats tour packages and combination of EcoMaterials 2005 with the earth construction seminar.

Waste to Houses Project receives Best Practice Certificate

2005-07-26T23:08:33+00:00

The CIDEM team that directed “Waste to Houses” displays the Best Practice Certificate from UN Habitat/City of Dubai. The project combines production of construction materials made from waste product with repair of hurricane affected houses, and is supported by Werkhof Darmstadt e.v. in Germany with co-financing from the Euopean Union. (link No. 11 Recycling Waste). It is worth mentioning that CIDEM hosts the III EcoMaterials Conference to take place in Santa Clara in November 2005.

South-south technology transfer focues on Mozambique

2005-07-26T23:11:06+00:00

At the beginning of June Orlando Espinosa of CECAT travelled to Mozambique to prepare a series of courses about EcoMaterials production from MicroConcrete Roofing tiles to concrete blocks to stablized earth blocks. The first task was to translate information into Portuguese, together with technicians from the Ministry of Construction. At the beginning of July classes began at a technical school in the north of the country, the course inaugurated by the governor of the province. Interest is great and it appears that the program might extend its reach with more equipment, as well as fabrication of alternative cement (CP40).

Creative use of coconut granulate

2005-07-26T23:13:05+00:00

In the zone hit by the Tsunami in Sumatra, Paneco has been investigating various uses of coconut granulates. Upon harvesting the coconut fibe, a granulate remains as a waste product, a material that has glutinous properties. Investigation has begun to explore uses for this granulate in combination with clay and it appears that it forms a strong and resistant material that can be cut and polished. Before entering into massive production, however, more investigation is required and Paneco has sought the cooperation of Prof. Gernot Minke at the Univesity of Kassel in Germany. It is hoped that Paneco will be able to present this investigation at the III EcoMaterials Conference, where Prof. Minke will also participate.