A NEW KIND OF HOME
SELF CONTAINED HOUSING SYSTEM
Post-Disaster Housing:
Teaming up with communities, architects, engineers and organizations, the Kauri Foundation is creating a whole-community inclusive approach to housing systems that are assembled and scaled to form the vital foundation for resilient community development.
By asking the right questions and collaborating on answers we support the development of culturally sensitive approaches based on the specific needs of the impacted community.
Environmental Design Systems:
The Kauri Foundation aligns with green energy experts and educators to assist communities in learning and implementing green energy development. Our communities implement technologies, such as, solar and wind micro-power generations and heating systems utilizing geothermal energy to further build resilience.
The Kauri Foundation collaborates with local leaders to optimize economic impact through the use of regional resources in manufacturing, construction and engineering, infrastructure, workforce, trades and marketable skills development for opportunities that support whole community sustainability.
These types of technological advancements create safe and resilient housing and a person-centered. This mindset restores the spirit of the people can radically alter the future of communities in crisis. This is a direct reflection of the Kauri Foundation’s commitment to restoration and sustainable resilience.
Water Capture and Management:
Central to any conversation about sustaining healthy communities is access to water. Where a fresh supply is limited, or potentially compromised, water capture systems can be incorporated into the architectural design. Equally important is the skills and knowledge for residents to manage and maintain water systems and take control of their health and futures. Water and water management are critical for ongoing sustainability for the community, plants, and animals.
The health and stability of a community’s housing and people are the greatest determining factors in determining resilience. This resilience and strategic supports can convert housing and people into homes and communities.
The Napkin
Origin of The Kauri Foundation
The concept of the Kauri Foundation began as notes jotted on a napkin. But the inception started many years ago, when Edward Brost played in a hockey tournament in Europe as a 16 year old. Through playing hockey internationally and seeing a portion of Europe he was immediately captured by the international market. This was a defining point in his life journey.
In 2010, Edward experienced a shift. One day he felt challenged to get away from everything, to be quiet, to listen. He drove out to Banff National Park and sat on the rock wall at Mt. Norquay. Not a breath of wind disturbed the air. Until this time, sitting quietly was a novelty for Edward. Indeed, a moment of down time was a luxury.
Surrounded by mountains new desire was birthed - a desire to stand in the post-disaster housing gap and bring land to life.
Edward thought maybe this meant to start his own land development and home building company. But his advisory team challenged him to go deeper, to consider going beyond 2x4’s and brick.
Fast forward several years, and in 2017, Edward saw a Life Story on the BBC news revealing the story of families fleeing Syria for a life in Europe. The story of the Syrian family made him question how he could respond to the migration of people taking place, and help solve the lack of safe, secure, and dignified housing.
That evening, he walked with a father figure in his life. This was an individual who had spent much of his career internationally, and was now a leader in a Church.
They discussed Edward’s observations in the BBC story. Edward asked this pastor what he thought was the single greatest challenge the Church would face in the next 50 years. Immediately this pastor responded, “The migration of people and the economic, social impact this will have. This will provide an opportunity like never before for people to stand in the gap”. Flashbacks of his mountain top experience in 2010 flooded back to Edward’s mind.
Without fully knowing what he was embarking upon, Edward replied, “I am going to step into this and create a company that brings land to life – creates sustainable housing and looks toward developing land. I’m going to create a purpose driven company.”
Thus the Kauri Foundation was conceived.