Transforming non-engineered seismic science into practical, open-source knowledge that empowers communities and promotes sustainable solutions.
Transforming non-engineered seismic science into practical, open-source knowledge that empowers communities and promotes sustainable solutions.
Challenges
Challenges
Earthquake safety
[1]
in economic losses caused by earthquakes in 2023, making them the year’s deadliest and costliest natural disaster.
Earthquake safety
[1]
in economic losses caused by earthquakes in 2023, making them the year’s deadliest and costliest natural disaster.
Earthquake safety
[1]
in economic losses caused by earthquakes in 2023, making them the year’s deadliest and costliest natural disaster.
Climate crisis
[2]
metric tons of CO₂ are generated by the built environment, this is 37% of the total global CO₂ emissions.
Climate crisis
[2]
metric tons of CO₂ are generated by the built environment, this is 37% of the total global CO₂ emissions.
Climate crisis
[2]
metric tons of CO₂ are generated by the built environment, this is 37% of the total global CO₂ emissions.
Housing crisis
[3]
people will be living in slum-like conditions by 2050, that means 1 out of 3 people on our planet.
Housing crisis
[3]
people will be living in slum-like conditions by 2050, that means 1 out of 3 people on our planet.
Housing crisis
[3]
people will be living in slum-like conditions by 2050, that means 1 out of 3 people on our planet.
Solutions
How we tackle them:
Pioneering research
We develop safe, reliable, and proven solutions for traditional construction with natural materials in seismic regions.
Pioneering research
We develop safe, reliable, and proven solutions for traditional construction with natural materials in seismic regions.
Pioneering research
We develop safe, reliable, and proven solutions for traditional construction with natural materials in seismic regions.
Environmental awareness
Environmental awareness
Environmental awareness
Global knowledge sharing
Global knowledge sharing
Global knowledge sharing
Together
Together
Together
Resilient schools
Our 15 schools and hostel for blind students in Nepal withstood the 2015 earthquakes without any significant damage.
Resilient schools
Our 15 schools and hostel for blind students in Nepal withstood the 2015 earthquakes without any significant damage.
Resilient schools
Our 15 schools and hostel for blind students in Nepal withstood the 2015 earthquakes without any significant damage.
Empowering builders
Trained 250 masons and carpenters in earthquake-resistant construction and improving the local building quality.
Empowering builders
Trained 250 masons and carpenters in earthquake-resistant construction and improving the local building quality.
Empowering builders
Trained 250 masons and carpenters in earthquake-resistant construction and improving the local building quality.
Scientific impact
Our scientific papers rank in the top 1–3% for views and downloads in the Frontiers open-access journal.
Scientific impact
Our scientific papers rank in the top 1–3% for views and downloads in the Frontiers open-access journal.
Scientific impact
Our scientific papers rank in the top 1–3% for views and downloads in the Frontiers open-access journal.
100% open source
Explore our free library of academic papers and student research assignments.
100% open source
Explore our free library of academic papers and student research assignments.
100% open source
Explore our free library of academic papers and student research assignments.
Pioneering research
Together with an international network of experts, we assess, test, and improve the seismic resilience of stone masonry buildings.
Pioneering research
Together with an international network of experts, we assess, test, and improve the seismic resilience of stone masonry buildings.
Pioneering research
Together with an international network of experts, we assess, test, and improve the seismic resilience of stone masonry buildings.
Environmental assessments
In our case study, a school built with rubble stone masonry consumes 63% less cement and 80% less steel than a concrete frame.
Environmental assessments
In our case study, a school built with rubble stone masonry consumes 63% less cement and 80% less steel than a concrete frame.
Environmental assessments
In our case study, a school built with rubble stone masonry consumes 63% less cement and 80% less steel than a concrete frame.
Feedback
Feedback
Feedback
“
SSF shared vital insights on earthquake impacts, which is crucial for Nepal. We built 15 earthquake-resistant schools and trained our communities in safer building techniques. When the 2015 earthquake struck, our schools remained intact, proving the importance of SSF’s training. We’re grateful to Martijn and SSF for empowering us with this knowledge.
Damodar Bhakta Thapa
Chairman SEED Foundation, Nepal
“
SSF shared vital insights on earthquake impacts, which is crucial for Nepal. We built 15 earthquake-resistant schools and trained our communities in safer building techniques. When the 2015 earthquake struck, our schools remained intact, proving the importance of SSF’s training. We’re grateful to Martijn and SSF for empowering us with this knowledge.
Damodar Bhakta Thapa
Chairman SEED Foundation, Nepal
“
SSF shared vital insights on earthquake impacts, which is crucial for Nepal. We built 15 earthquake-resistant schools and trained our communities in safer building techniques. When the 2015 earthquake struck, our schools remained intact, proving the importance of SSF’s training. We’re grateful to Martijn and SSF for empowering us with this knowledge.
Damodar Bhakta Thapa
Chairman SEED Foundation, Nepal
“
SSF addresses an issue often overlooked by traditional research: the structural safety of non-engineered constructions, like rubble stone masonry buildings. Martijn’s practical expertise makes this organization truly unique. Collaborating with them was inspiring and opened new avenues for research that can benefit local communities.
Prof. Stefano Silvestri
Structural Design, Bologna University
“
SSF addresses an issue often overlooked by traditional research: the structural safety of non-engineered constructions, like rubble stone masonry buildings. Martijn’s practical expertise makes this organization truly unique. Collaborating with them was inspiring and opened new avenues for research that can benefit local communities.
Prof. Stefano Silvestri
Structural Design, Bologna University
“
SSF addresses an issue often overlooked by traditional research: the structural safety of non-engineered constructions, like rubble stone masonry buildings. Martijn’s practical expertise makes this organization truly unique. Collaborating with them was inspiring and opened new avenues for research that can benefit local communities.
Prof. Stefano Silvestri
Structural Design, Bologna University
“
Since 2015, I have collaborated with SSF on global education. Their workshops inspire students to "think sideways," embracing creativity, interdisciplinary learning, and community resilience. Joint work on earthquake-resilient structures has produced workshops, conferences, and "how-to" guides that continue to influence both academic and field-based practice.
Dr. Liam McCarton
Director Engineers Without Borders, Ireland
“
Since 2015, I have collaborated with SSF on global education. Their workshops inspire students to "think sideways," embracing creativity, interdisciplinary learning, and community resilience. Joint work on earthquake-resilient structures has produced workshops, conferences, and "how-to" guides that continue to influence both academic and field-based practice.
Dr. Liam McCarton
Director Engineers Without Borders, Ireland
“
Since 2015, I have collaborated with SSF on global education. Their workshops inspire students to "think sideways," embracing creativity, interdisciplinary learning, and community resilience. Joint work on earthquake-resilient structures has produced workshops, conferences, and "how-to" guides that continue to influence both academic and field-based practice.
Dr. Liam McCarton
Director Engineers Without Borders, Ireland
Who we are
Smart Shelter Foundation is a Dutch NGO with ANBI status (Public Benefit Organization), dedicated to safe and sustainable construction using natural materials. Founded by Martijn Schildkamp — architect and PhD in engineering — the foundation makes technical knowledge simple, practical, and freely accessible worldwide.
Who we are
Smart Shelter Foundation is a Dutch NGO with ANBI status (Public Benefit Organization), dedicated to safe and sustainable construction using natural materials. Founded by Martijn Schildkamp — architect and PhD in engineering — the foundation makes technical knowledge simple, practical, and freely accessible worldwide.
Who we are
Smart Shelter Foundation is a Dutch NGO with ANBI status (Public Benefit Organization), dedicated to safe and sustainable construction using natural materials. Founded by Martijn Schildkamp — architect and PhD in engineering — the foundation makes technical knowledge simple, practical, and freely accessible worldwide.
Contribute
Contribute
Contribute
Support our mission
Donate today and help drive change
Make a change today. Your donation supports our research and helps build a safer, more sustainable world.
Support our mission
Donate today and help drive change
Make a change today. Your donation supports our research and helps build a safer, more sustainable world.
Support our mission
Donate today and help drive change
Make a change today. Your donation supports our research and helps build a safer, more sustainable world.
Make a lasting impact
Partner with us
Help us advance safer, more sustainable construction worldwide. Become a Gold Sponsor or contribute through 1% for the Planet.
Make a lasting impact
Partner with us
Help us advance safer, more sustainable construction worldwide. Become a Gold Sponsor or contribute through 1% for the Planet.
Make a lasting impact
Partner with us
Help us advance safer, more sustainable construction worldwide. Become a Gold Sponsor or contribute through 1% for the Planet.
Ride and receive
Komoot - Torino Nice Rally donations and patches
When you donate, you receive a TNR patch and a Komoot Premium voucher for digital maps — our way of saying thanks.
Ride and receive
Komoot - Torino Nice Rally donations and patches
When you donate, you receive a TNR patch and a Komoot Premium voucher for digital maps — our way of saying thanks.
Ride and receive
Komoot - Torino Nice Rally donations and patches
When you donate, you receive a TNR patch and a Komoot Premium voucher for digital maps — our way of saying thanks.
Partners making a difference with us.
Partners making a difference with us.
Partners making a difference with us.
© 2025 SSF
Made with love in Portugal by Significa 🧡
© 2025 SSF
Made with love in Portugal by Significa 🧡
© 2025 SSF
Made with love in Portugal by Significa 🧡