Tlholego Ecovillage:

A Sustainable Development Project in Rural South Africa

Housing

   

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“Mudbrick building has the potential for large numbers of people to owner-build quality houses for themselves with minimal environmental destruction, and without the financial dependence that conventional systems cause.”
- Brian Woodward

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  Introduction

In 1994, the founding residents of Tlholego began their practical training in sustainable building technologies.  A series of experimental buildings were constructed over the following two years. These included traditional 2000-year-old Tswana designs using earth and thatch as well as buildings constructed from large earth-filled bags with fired-brick dome roofs.  Locally available and recycled materials were used for foundations, walls, floors and roofs.  

In 1996, after accumulating certain experience with these methods, we began working in partnership with Brian Woodward to develop the Tlholego Building System (TBS), a sustainable housing system for South Africa.  Woodward is a world leader in low-cost owner-built housing, based in Earthways, Australia. You can support and participate in these exciting developments by making an investment in our project.
 

This section on housing contains information on the following subjects:   
   

 

 

Brian Woodward and Happy Mokgorong during six months training in TBS in 1996

 

 

Workers completing a fired-brick dome community cookhouse in 1996

 

Thatch roof of the main meeting center, built in traditional Tswana style, is a focal point of Tlholego

 

  

 

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