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Experiments
Tire House
More About This ProjectThis was our first attempt at using tires to build a home. It’s successful completion inspired the construction of the Hero School campus.
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Experiments
Earthbag Kitchen
More About This ProjectThis profile is the story of our first attempt at using earth bags in the construction of a home and inspired the earth bag classrooms at the Hero School campus.
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Barrel Vault Tire Classrooms
More About This ProjectThese classrooms are made of more than 2000 tires with 7 arched concrete roofs and no sharp corners.
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Earthbag Dome
More About This ProjectThe earthbag dome is nearly earthquake proof and sequesters a literal ton of trash.
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Two Story Dome
More About This ProjectThe multi-layer structure proves the strength of earthbag construction. It supports a full second story of ecobricks and cob.
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Triple Earthbag Domes
More About This ProjectThis set of buildings use 50 layers of dirt filled bags for their structure. They sit on a foundation of gravel filled tires.
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Water Harvesting Corridor
More About This ProjectThis beautiful structure is made of arched concrete vaults with glass-brick skylights that gravity feed water into a 42,500 gallon cistern..
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42,500 Gallon Cistern
More About This ProjectThe massive 22 foot wide cistern is made of 1,000 tires and 12,000 pounds of rebar. All of this is needed to hold 175 tons of water.
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Bamboo and Trash Bottle House
More About This ProjectThis bamboo frame octagonal house is made of ecobricks and cob and the roof shingles are made from plastic bottles.
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Hero School Septic System
More About This ProjectThe waste management system is made of 4 black water filtration chambers that go to an off-campus drainage field.
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Dome Library
More About This ProjectThe library sits on top of our 42,500 gallon cistern. Its dome is made of rebar, cement and glass bottle skylights and is a favorite spot for teachers and students.
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Oval Tire Classrooms
More About This ProjectThese four classrooms are built into one of our tire retaining walls. The footprint of the structure is 100’ by 30’.
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Dome Tire House
More About This ProjectThis structure is built into one of our tire retaining walls. It follows an east-west axis and is connected to three other dome structures.
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Northside Tire Retaining Wall
More About This ProjectWe used 1000 tires to construct this massive retaining wall. It is the backbone of our Hero School.
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Southside Tire Retaining Wall
More About This ProjectWe used 1080 tires to transform this eroding cliff into a retaining wall that supports our Hero School.
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Volunteer Quarters Tire Retaining Wall #1
More About This ProjectWe used 624 tires to make this retaining wall that stretches across the Hero School campus.
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Volunteer Quarters Tire Retaining Wall #2
More About This ProjectWe used 1021 tires to make the wall that forms the platform for the Long Way Home volunteer quarters.
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Entrance Tire Retaining Wall
More About This ProjectWe used 1200 tires to make the 6 walls that run along the bottom of the Hero School campus.
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Upper Platform Tire Retaining Wall
More About This ProjectWe built this wall to hold back an eroding cliff face that was washing away during the wet season.
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Terrace Tire Retaining Wall
More About This ProjectThis wall supports the garden and gathering area in the heart of the Hero School campus.
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Mid-Campus Tire Retaining Wall
More About This ProjectThis retaining wall is made of 730 tires and holds back an eroding cliff behind our barrel vault classrooms.
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West Side Tire Retaining Wall
More About This ProjectThis wall has a set of stairs built into it and helps form the foundation for our oval tire classrooms.
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4000 Gallon Tire Cistern
More About This ProjectThis 7 foot by 4 foot cistern is gravity fed. It is made out of packed tires and ecobricks.
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Tire Bathroom & Solar Shower
More About This ProjectThis bathroom is made with packed tires and accompanies one of the houses on our campus.
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4 Stall Dry Compost Latrine
More About This ProjectThis latrine block is framed with bamboo and its walls are filled with eco bricks.
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Ferrocement Water Storage Tanks
More About This ProjectThis reservoir system is made of 8 tanks that hold 3,660 gallons of water. It gravity feeds to the flush-latrines below.
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2 Stall Dry Compost Latrine
More About This ProjectAdjacent to our ecobrick and bamboo house, one latrine is used while the others waste decomposes into fertilizer.
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Cob Oven
More About This ProjectThis is the first cob oven we built, its design and execution has since been honed and are taught to our Seventh graders.
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In Progress
Administration Building
More About This ProjectServing as the base for our Cafeteria, this structure is set into the hillside, its packed tire walls retaining the dirt around it.
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In Progress
Cafeteria
More About This ProjectThis in Progress structure sits on top of our administration building, at the moment its walls are only partially constructed.
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In Progress
Teachers Lounge
More About This ProjectStill in progress, this tire walled structure has a concrete slab roof and cob/plaster finish in its future.
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In Progress
Science Lab
More About This ProjectAlthough currently just a project description, this structure will sit between the cafeteria and the teacher lounge.
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In Progress
Auxiliary Classroom
More About This ProjectThis extra classroom will sit on top of the teachers lounge, it will be framed by concrete columns with walls of ecobricks and cob.
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Hero School Campus
More About This ProjectOver 17 years we have constructed a campus which demonstrates the green building techniques.
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Off Campus
Parque Chimiya
More About This ProjectLong Way Home’s first project, Parque Chimiyá, was built as a service to the community of Comalapa, Guatemala.
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Off Campus
Mirador Retaining Wall 2013
More About This ProjectThis is a brief compilation of photos from building the Mirador Retaining Wall.
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Off Campus
Off Grid Home #4
More About This ProjectOff grid home #4 was made of tires, eco bricks, and cob in South Africa
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Off Campus
Off Grid Home #5
More About This ProjectWe built this off grid tire home near San Juan, Lago Atitlan in 2015.
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Off Campus
Xiquin Tire Retaining Wall
More About This ProjectIncluded are photos from our tire retention wall build in Xiquin with support of about 30 individuals
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Off Campus
Quiche Tire Retaining Wall
More About This ProjectA compilation of photos from the tire retaining wall in Quiche
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Off Campus
Santa Eulalia Tire Retaining Wall
More About This ProjectProject details for tire retaining wall in Santa Eulalia
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Off Campus
Improved Stove - Comalapa
More About This ProjectAfter conducting an extensive living condition survey, we built 36 smoke-efficient stoves for 36 families.
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Off Campus
Cob Oven 2
More About This ProjectBuilt in November 2017 during a workshop offered by Hero School, the oven is build from rammed tires, cob, and glass bottles.
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Off Campus
Red Brick Oven - NY
More About This ProjectThis is a compilation of photos from a brick oven project we supported in New York
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student led
2016
Estufa Mejorada Primero Basico 2016
More About This ProjectThis project started our practice of student experimentation, showcasing their skills and benefitting their community.
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student led
2017
Estufa Mejorada Primero Basico 2017
More About This ProjectOur students built this stove for a family in their community, further refining its design and innovating its execution.
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student led
2017
Tinaco Segundo Basico 2017
More About This ProjectOur first student led cistern, built with a budget of roughly $250 this 4000 gallon cistern holds 6 months worth of water.
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concepts
Double Barrel Vaults Tire House With Patio
More About This ProjectDouble-barrel house built with tires, earth and recycled materials.
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student led
2018
Encuesta Community Survey Middle/High School
More About This ProjectOur students surveyed the families of Xiquin Sanaii to find out who could benefit most from their projects.
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student led
2018
Estufa Mejorada Middle School 2018
More About This ProjectThis rendition of our improved stove design built by our 7th, 8th and 9th grade features a tile stovetop.
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student led
2018
Estufa Mejorada Primero Basico 2018
More About This ProjectOur seventh graders built this awesome stove for one of their own family, putting the skills taught to them to use.
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student led
2018
Estufas Mejoradas 6th to 9th Grade 2018
More About This ProjectHere middle school students and volunteers document the construction of 5 improved stoves in Xiquin.
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student led
2018
Tinaco Familiar Segundo Básico 2018
More About This ProjectMade for a grateful family in out community, this was our second execution of a 4000 liter cistern by an 8th grade..
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student led
2018
Letrina Abonera Tercero Básico 2018
More About This ProjectOur first 9th grade led latrine experiment, the bamboo bathroom sits on the composting receptacle.
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student led
2018
Muro de ContenciĂłn Cuarto Bachillerato 2018
More About This ProjectOur first tenth grade retaining wall experiment, this wall holds back a cliff above a families house.
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student led
2019
Estufa Mejorada Primero Básico 2019
More About This ProjectThe culminating project for our seventh grade, this stove was made for a grateful family in San Juan Comalapa
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student led
2019
Tinaco Middle/High School 2019
More About This ProjectIn this school field trip students worked with volunteers to construct a cistern for a family in Xikin Sanayi.
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student led
2019
Tinaco Segundo Basico 2019
More About This ProjectOur 8th grade constructed this cistern for a low income family, its construction made possible by donations.
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student led
2019
Letrina Abonera Tercero Basico 2019
More About This ProjectOur 9th grades final project, with this composting latrine we experimented with a tire base instead of blocks.
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student led
2019
Letrina Abonera Grupo B Quinto Bachillerato
More About This ProjectWith this composting latrine, the students experimented with digging the receptacle down into the ground.
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student led
2019
Letrina Abonera Grupo A Quinto Bachillerato
More About This ProjectOur 10th graders experimented with setting the latrines receptacle into the hillside, making it easier to access.
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student led
2019
Muro de Contencion Cuarto Bachillerato 2019
More About This ProjectOur first 10th grade retaining wall experiment, this wall used 400 tires and was 10 meters long.
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concepts
Tire House With Tin Roof
More About This ProjectOne-barrel house built from tires, earth and recycled materials.
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concepts
Single Barrel Vault Tire House With Loft
More About This ProjectOne-barrel house built with tires, earth and recycled materials.
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concepts
Triple Barrel Vault Tire House With Patio
More About This ProjectTriple barrel house built with tires, earth and recycled materials.
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concepts
Triple Barrel Vault Tire House With Rear Entrance
More About This ProjectThree-barrel house with entrance covered with metal sheets.
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concepts
Triple Barrel Vault Tire House With Kitchen & Greenhouse
More About This ProjectThree-barrel house with greenhouse. It is built with tires, earth and recycled materials.
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concepts
Triple Barrel Vault Tire House With Garage
More About This ProjectA sustainable house with garage that is built with tires, earth and recycled materials.
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concepts
concepts
Triple Barrel Vault Tire House With Commercial Space
More About This ProjectThree-barrel house with greenhouse with a commercial space and garage.
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concepts
concepts
Single Earth Bag Dome
More About This ProjectConcept renders for single earth bag dome
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concepts
Dome Tire House With Bathroom
More About This ProjectDome Tire House with bathroom covered with metal sheets. It is built with tires, earth and recycled materials.
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concepts
Dome Tire House Without Bathroom
More About This ProjectDome Tire House covered with metal sheets. It is built with tires, earth and recycled materials.
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concepts
Rectangular Tire House
More About This ProjectDetails on a concept project for a rectangular tire house
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concepts
Oval Tire House Dome
More About This ProjectConcept renders for a oval dome tire house
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concepts
Buddhist Temple
More About This ProjectMaterial list and renders for a concept design of a Buddhist Temple
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concepts
Large Scale Housing Units
More About This ProjectRenders for a concept design of large scale housing units
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concepts
concepts
Green Build Village
More About This ProjectRenders for concept design of a Green Building Village
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