A few decades ago – when we were first introduced to the concept – sustainability simply meant that a development project was profitable and could “sustain” itself without the need of further financing or help from larger institutions. Finding a way to create profit was pretty much the only aim at sustaining micro-economies that would help impoverished or displaced societies build a better future. With time, it became apparent that more attention needed to be paid to the natural resources these surging economies depended on. To this day, and in spite of the efforts to denounce the rapid destruction of rainforests and aquatic life around the globe, many of our efforts still have not achieved a sustainable relationship between the natural environment and our economic needs. After all, the planet still has plenty to give; right?

Globalization brought – among other things – the privilege that we didn’t have to see how other parts of the world were being affected by our desire to consume beyond our needs. And we’re not just talking about the environment here. The manpower needed to supply the demand was also overlooked; and soon, stories of sweatshops and inhumane working conditions began to tarnish the reputation of many thriving international brands. And so, the balancing act began. It was now clear that, in order to label a project as sustainable, the three structural Ps – Profit / Planet / People – needed to be sound. If one of these three foundational columns went missing or was neglected, the structure would lean, become unstable, and potentially collapse. Sustainability is not achievable without intentionally and simultaneously fortifying our natural, human and economic resources.

Today, sustainability concepts have generated internationally respected tools, like the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UNSDGs)(https://sdgs.un.org/goals), which outline the 17 practical applications of this more holistic concept of sustainability. The balancing act has never before been so complicated. Goals, such as #16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions) or #10 (Reduced Inequalities) seem unattainable because of the enormous global paradigm shift they require.

In the center of this quest, there are enterprises like the Kauri Foundation, whose main purpose is to restore the dignity of those who have fallen out of the balance we call sustainability, by providing solutions that meet its strictest principles. From renewable materials to affordability, each modular post disaster housing unit replaces the “refugee” label with the dignity all people deserve, and enhances local and the international economies through collaborations and partnerships that support 17 UNSDGs. 

At the Kauri Foundation, QUALITY is our firm foundation. Our homes are designed to meet or exceed local building code requirements to ensure both safety and comfort of the occupants. We offer a home solution designed to last 50+ years.

• Built to a higher standard in sustainable development - designed to be deployed to conditions with widely variable infrastructural availability and functionality.

• Uses fire safe materials for high density application (fire retardant 1-4 hours)

• Mold and Bacteria Resistant (effective for humid climates)

• Flat packed, scalable, culturally and functionally adaptable – assembled with human power or limited machinery (i.e. screw driver and power drill).

• Self-Contained – option to include water supply, compostable lavatory, & solar panel harvesting

• Maximizes space, minimizes carbon footprint in transportation

• Engineered for seismic & hurricane force winds

• Materials passed multiple international building codes

• Finished home sizes range from 5.9 sq/m to 111.5 sq/m (64 sq/ft to 1,200 sq/ft)

• Options for single occupancy up to a family of 7+

• Economic Empowerment Option - semi-finished product (i.e. Building Envelope) will also generate local employment and skill-training for communities involved in assembling housing structures.

We bring EFFICIENCY wherever we go. Our modularization design and flat pack approach allows maximum transportation efficiency and reduces overall carbon footprints. With green-living materials and design, our homes will require less energy to maintain comfortable interior living spaces. We are ADAPTIVE, meaning our design allows us to offer homes from  5.9 sq/m to 111.5 sq/m (64 sq/ft to 1,200 sq/ft),  while able to be modified to suit the deployment topography and local climate. Our modular approach permits a temporary house to be repurposed and integrated to the permanent dwelling, hence reducing construction waste and a better future for the environment. In every location, we respect local CULTURE and PEOPLE. Respecting and preserving local culture and traditions are important. We recognize no two communities or development projects are alike. We make it our daily mission to provide each development project with a fully customized, culturally competent local approach. The result is we can create both homes and economic development.

Sustainability is not just about balancing the present to secure a better future, but also about restoring what has been damaged in the past. The much needed global shift of mind is happening – and we all need to join it.