CalEarth

CalEarth is a nonprofit organization and educational initiative that promotes earth-based architecture and sustainable housing. Based in California, it aims to expand access to affordable, energy-efficient shelter by teaching and disseminating natural-building methods. The organization is associated with architect Nader Khalili, who helped develop the CalEarth approach and serves as its design lead. CalEarth focuses on methods that use locally available earth and simple, low-cost construction techniques.

CalEarth is best known for the SuperAdobe earthbag dome technique, a method involving bags filled with local soil, stacked in a spiral around a central core, often reinforced with barbed wire and stabilized with plaster. In addition to earthbags, CalEarth explores other earthen technologies such as rammed earth, compressed earth blocks, and adobe. The aim is to create durable, climate-adapted structures with low environmental impact.

The organization offers hands-on training, workshops, and design assistance for individuals, communities, and development projects. Demonstration sites and resource materials illustrate how earth architecture can be applied to emergency shelters, housing, and community facilities. CalEarth emphasizes safety, local material sourcing, and appropriate technology, with attention to resilience in the face of disasters and climate extremes.

CalEarth pursues international outreach, collaborating with partners to adapt techniques to different regions and building codes. Its work supports grassroots builders and students, providing plans, guidance, and mentorship to help communities construct affordable, sustainable structures. The overall mission is to promote vernacular, low-cost construction as a viable alternative to conventional building methods.