BUILDING AN EMERGENCY SHELTER
a documentary for all languages


water in the boat
is the death of the boat
water under the boat
and the boat's afloat
- Rumi

Natural disasters are human created disasters blamed on nature.

In today's world there are, according to the United Nations, over a billion people without suitable shelter. In the spirit of protecting their families, requests have come from all over the United States for instructions on how to build a safe shelter before or during an emergency. This video documents a group training at Cal-Earth Institute by constructing an 8 ft. interior diameter dome in one day. It is intended for use with materials and tools developed for instruction during the apprenticeship training at Cal-Earth.

"It is a hidden treasure," said the director of the Emergency Response Division at the U.N. Development Program....Here you have a technology that's so simple, so effective and can be used by everybody...." - Reuters world News Agency

Here, using a simple sandbag-and-barbed-wire technology, named Superadobe, designed by architect Nader Khalili, and developed by his associates and apprentices this documentary video shows how to:

  • Use the materials of war (sandbags and barbed wire) to create a safe shelter in your backyard.
  • Utilize minimum amounts of purchased product and maximum amounts of the free earth under your feet.
  • Participate in a family or community activity by building a shelter.
  • Create a shelter with maximum protection against natural and man-made disasters.

    Notice:
    Superadobe technology (sandbag and barbed wire) is designed by Nader Khalili, and engineering by P. J. Vittore, models of which have been constructed and tested for the City of Hesperia, California, Building and Safety Department, in consultation with I.C.B.O. (International Conference of Building Officials), in the forms of arches, vaults, and domes between 1993 and 1996. These successfully passed the California required codes for the models.
    Superadobe is a patented system put at the service of humanity and the environment. Licensing is required for commercial use.

    Disclaimer:
    Cal-Earth Institute, architect Nader Khalili, and their representatives and officers are not responsible for the actions or effects of individuals who buy this video or follow use it's guidance for building. Builders are expected to use commonsense, caution, safety precautions appropriate to a construction site, and all necessary protection to persons and property.

    Directed and Produced by Dastan Khalili
    Greenworks Productions
    Special Effects by Scott Kuhlman