CalEarth: The Radical Simplicity of Earth Architecture

EcoJustice Radio

In this episode, we are honored to host Dastan Khalili, president of Cal-Earth [http://calearth.org] and son of the visionary architect Nader Khalili, who pioneered the SuperAdobe building technique. Dastan shares his father's timeless vision of creating sustainable shelters using natural materials and principles inspired by the elements of earth, water, air, and fire. The global housing shortage currently includes some 20-40 million refugees and displaced persons, and hundreds of millions more who live in substandard housing. Amidst the urgency of human-induced climate events, urban conflagrations and “natural” disasters, we are being compelled by Cal-Earth founder Nader Khalili’s vision to create sustainable human shelters, using timeless materials and principles including arches, vaults and domes. Inspired by the mystic Persian poet Rumi — Nader Khalili envisioned uniting the natural elements to serve humanity and the environment, provide shelter for the world’s homeless and displaced persons, and empower people to participate in the creation of their own homes and communities. By doing so, we can touch the Earth, preserve the planet, and gently walk into our shared, Ancient Future. For an extended interview and other benefits, become an EcoJustice Radio patron at https://www.patreon.com/ecojusticeradio RESOURCES https://www.latimes.com/lifestyle/story/2025-02-20/superadobe-calearth-hesperia-fire-resistant-los-angeles?_gl=1*2g0ikj*_gcl_au*MTgyNzk2NDAwMy4xNzQwMDYwNDI3 Dastan Khalili has been President of Cal-Earth since 2008. He is son of the late founder, visionary architect and author Nader Khalili. Carry Kim, Co-Host of EcoJustice Radio. An advocate for ecosystem restoration, Indigenous lifeways, and a new humanity born of connection and compassion, she is a long-time volunteer for SoCal350, member of Ecosystem Restoration Camps, and a co-founder of the Soil Sponge Collective, a grassroots community organization dedicated to big and small scale regeneration of Mother Earth. Podcast Website: http://ecojusticeradio.org/ Podcast Blog: https://www.wilderutopia.com/category/ecojustice-radio/ Support the Podcast: Patreon https://www.patreon.com/ecojusticeradio PayPal https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=LBGXTRM292TFC&source=url Executive Producer and Intro: Jack Eidt Hosted by Carry Kim Engineer and Original Music: Blake Quake Beats Episode 260 Photo credit: Cal-Earth