Inspired by the Sufi mystic poet Rumi, and using only the elements of earth, air, fire and water, Iranian-American architect Nader Khalili (1936-2008) invented a means of crafting shelters that is inexpensive, fast, enduring and beautiful.
His work and teachings are continued by Cal-Earth, located in the lunar Mojave Desert landscape, which conducts workshops to train more people in Khalili’s techniques.
Khalili wrote: “There is a Sustainable Solution to Human Shelter, based on Timeless Materials (earth, water, air and fire) and Timeless Principles (arches, vaults and domes). Every man and woman should be able to build a shelter for his or her family with these universal elements, almost anywhere on the earth and other planets. These principles, interpreted into the simplest form of building technology have created emergency shelter which can become permanent houses, and which have passed strict tests and building codes.”
You can see these structures being created in the video below.
