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THE VISION’S
REALIZATION
In 1991, Mr. Khalili presented his ideas to the Hesperia
City Council and later the mayor recommended applying his
innovative building technology to a planned park
facility. He felt the extremes of Hesperia’s desert
climate would provide a perfect testing ground for his
techniques, which in turn would offer a unique experience
to visitors. Recognizing the project’s far-reaching
potential as a solution to international homelessness and
deforestation, the Board agreed and the Hesperia Museum
and Nature Center was born.
Following two years of extensive prototype testing by
California’s Building Department, construction of
the museum and nature complex began. The 7,500
square-foot, 14 dome project broke ground on Earth Day,
April 19, 1996 and, with the support of generous sponsors
and with the support of generous sponsors and volunteer
builders, continues to move forward. Completion is
expected in early 1998.
THE BENEFITS
In addition to addressing homelessness and deforestation,
the Hesperia Museum and Nature Center will serve as a
multi-faceted educational center for California, the
nation and the world, attracting architectural students,
corporations, individuals and government officials to
view Mr. Khalili’s revolutionary concept. Through
funding from the Huxley Foundation, a pilot project that
allows teens from 14 to 17 years old to participate in
the museum’s construction has alread7 begun.
Architectural schools are also calling to assist, and
enterprises like the Turner Foundation have expressed
interest in supporting the project.
THE OPPORTUNITY
The Hesperia museum and Nature Center invites each of us
to be a part of history in the making. As project
sponsors, foundations, corporations and individuals
become partners in solving two universal problems –
homelessness and deforestation – using the
earth-constructed museum and nature complex as a
world-wide model for low-cost housing and the
preservation of precious natural resources.
The Hesperia Area Recreation District Foundation is
contributing what funds it can, but is seeking sponsors
to help underwrite the many phases of the project’s
development, and trained volunteers to help construct the
building. Support the Hesperia Museum and Nature Center
with your time or your resources and take the future into
your hands.
THE TECHNOLOGY
Mr. Khalili perfected his "Ceramic" and
"Super Adobe" building techniques while
researching Iranian desert villages in 1975-80. Based on
ancient clay technologies, these tow sculpted-earth
construction methods, combined with a dome-shaped design,
are able to withstand severe heat, cold, rain, snow, wind
and earthquakes.
Both methods rely on earth’s basic elements of
earth, air, fire and water. In Ceramic construction,
8" adobe bricks are laid using adobe mortar, glazed
and then baked using a high-intensity internal fire.
Super Adobe, which remains un-fired, consists of earth
stuffed into mile-long sandbag coils that are set in
layers connected by barbed wire. Both use natural
materials and natural energies and can easily accommodate
windows, doors and skylights.
THE VISION
The Hesperia Recreation and Park District has joined with
the California Institute of Earth Art and Architecture
(Cal Earth) and its founder, renowned architect, author
and visionary Nader Khalili, to create a museum and
nature complex constructed entirely of
naturally-occurring elements: earth, air, fire and water.
Using a revolutionary method perfected by Khalili that
combines ancient techniques with space age technology,
the Hesperia Musum and Nature Center will serve as a
model for low-cost, durable housing around the world and
prevention of the further destruction of the
planet’s forest resources, as well as providing an
unparalleled educational and recreational facility.
THE VISIONARY
Inspired by Persian mystic Rumi, Nader Khalili has been
involved with earth architecture and third world
development since 1975. In addition to his duties as an
environmental architect, instructor, lecturer and author,
Mr. Khalili serves as a consultant to the U. N. and a
contributor to NASA, and has received award of excellence
and special recognition from organizations including the
California Council of the American Institute of
Architects, the U. N. and the U. S. Department of Housing
and Urban Development, among others. Mr. Khalili founded
the Geltaftan Foundation in 1986 and the Cal-Earth
Institute in 1991, where he continues to educated the
next generation of architects in his extraordinary
Ceramic and Super Adobe building techniques.
THE HESPERIA
RECREATION AND PARK DISTRICT
A profitable, business-like community organization, the
Hesperia Recreation and Park District demonstrates that
community recreation and can be both enjoyable and
efficient.
Managed by Executive Director Cal Camara, the Hesperia
Recreation and Park District employs sound management
practices, innovation and forward-thinking to provide
on-going services to its citizens while generation income
to keep taxes low. Recently-implemented public services
include the development of a slot car raceway and youth,
teen and senior citizen centers.
The Distric’s Board of Directors and Camara’s
leadership on the Hesperia Museum and Nature Center
project represents a solid investment in strategic
business management for public benefit.
Hesperia
Recreation and Park District
P.O. Box 401055, Hesperia, California 92340
16292 Lime Street, Hesperia, California 92345
(760)244-5488 Fax(760)244-2513
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