Smart Shelter Foundation | Earthquake-Resilient & Sustainable Housing

Build Safe. Build Natural. Build Resilient.

Transforming non-engineered seismic science into practical, open-source knowledge that empowers communities and promotes sustainable solutions.

Build Safe. Build Natural. Build Resilient.

Transforming non-engineered seismic science into practical, open-source knowledge that empowers communities and promotes sustainable solutions.

Challenges

Facing global realities.

Earthquake safety

[1]

$0billion

in economic losses caused by earthquakes in 2023, making them the year’s deadliest and costliest natural disaster.

Earthquake safety

[1]

$0billion

in economic losses caused by earthquakes in 2023, making them the year’s deadliest and costliest natural disaster.

Climate crisis

[2]

0billion

metric tons of CO₂ are generated by the built environment, this is 37% of the total global CO₂ emissions.

Climate crisis

[2]

0billion

metric tons of CO₂ are generated by the built environment, this is 37% of the total global CO₂ emissions.

Housing crisis

[3]

0billion

people will be living in slum-like conditions by 2050, that means 1 out of 3 people on our planet.

Housing crisis

[3]

0billion

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.

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Pioneering research

We develop safe, reliable, and proven solutions for traditional construction with natural materials in seismic regions.

Learn more

Pioneering research

We develop safe, reliable, and proven solutions for traditional construction with natural materials in seismic regions.

Learn more

Environmental awareness

Global knowledge sharing

Together

We can create a better future for humanity.

Resilient schools

Our 15 schools and hostel for blind students in Nepal withstood the 2015 earthquakes without any significant damage.

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Empowering builders

Trained 250 masons and carpenters in earthquake-resistant construction and improving the local building quality.

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Scientific impact

Our scientific papers rank in the top 1–3% for views and downloads in the Frontiers open-access journal.

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100% open source

Explore our free library of academic papers and student research assignments.

Learning hub

Pioneering research

Together with an international network of experts, we assess, test, and improve the seismic resilience of stone masonry buildings.

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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.

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Feedback

Don’t take our word for it.

“

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

“

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

“

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

Who we are

Our story and vision.

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.

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Who we are

Our story and vision.

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Contribute

How you can help.

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.

Donate now

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.

Donate now

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

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When you donate, you receive a TNR patch and a Komoot Premium voucher for digital maps — our way of saying thanks.

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Partners making a difference with us.

Partners making a difference with us.

Learning.

Improving.

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Learning.

Improving.

Sharing.

Donate

Donate now

Torino Nice Rally

Become a partner

Get involved

Call to action

Learning hub

Smart Shelter

About us

Research projects

Finished projects

ANBI information

Jaarverslag

Legal

Social

Facebook

Instagram

Made with love in Portugal by Significa 🧡

Learning.

Improving.

Sharing.

Donate

Donate now

Torino Nice Rally

Become a partner

Get involved

Call to action

Learning hub

Smart Shelter

About us

Research projects

Finished projects

ANBI information

Jaarverslag

Legal

Social

Facebook

Instagram

Made with love in Portugal by Significa 🧡