I’m developing a SketchUp-based shelter design tool for Gaza using earth, rubble, domes, and tent patterns — looking for technical feedback and pilot partners

[mohammed Rasmy]

When conventional building materials are blocked, architecture has to return to first principles: geometry, earth, and human intelligence.

I’m working on a project called:

PIECES OF PEACE: Building Peace, Piece by Piece

It started from a difficult reality in Gaza, where conventional building materials are often unavailable or extremely limited. The question was: can we use local earth, rubble, simple tools, and precise geometry to create shelters that are more durable and dignified than temporary tents?

The project began with an experimental earthen dome system made from unfired clay-and-straw blocks.

The idea is simple, but the geometry is not.

Each block is not just a brick. It acts like a three-dimensional wedge — a voussoir. In the hexagonal block system, each block is surrounded by six neighboring blocks. The sloped faces create a two-way shear interlock, allowing the dome to distribute compression and shear through the whole shell instead of transferring loads mainly in one direction like a traditional arch.

The main challenge is precision.

Manual approximation of block tilt angles, mold geometry, cut angles, and surface alignment is not accurate enough.

To solve this, I built a SketchUp-based digital design workflow that can support three shelter systems:

1. Interlocking earthen domes  
It calculates block geometry, inward tilt angles, repeated unit types, and mold drawings for casting local earthen blocks.

2. Triangular geodesic domes  
It generates geodesic dome systems from triangular panels, classifies repeated panel types, and produces fabrication-ready layouts.

3. Lightweight tent-based shelters  
It designs shelter frames and produces cutting and sewing patterns for rain-resistant fabric or plastic membranes.

The goal is not just one shelter design. The goal is a repeatable framework for building under limited resources.

By using local earth, recovered materials, precise geometry, thermal mass, curved forms, and custom-fitted protective skins, the system aims to reduce dependency on imported materials and create shelters more durable than temporary tents.

The project is now ready to move from digital validation toward a first full-scale field prototype.

I’m looking for technical feedback from people with experience in structural engineering, earthen construction, geodesic domes, humanitarian shelter design, material testing, tent fabrication, or field construction.

The main barrier now is moving from software to the first physical prototype. We are trying to identify the right partners who could help turn the digital prototype into a small field pilot by supporting the basic operational needs: a pilot site, mold production, simple tools, local coordination, local labor workflow, and material testing.

A small pilot site and basic field support would allow us to test the system responsibly under real conditions.

If cement, steel, and timber are unavailable, geometry can become the building material.

Any technical feedback, criticism, references, or suggestions would be appreciated.

[Chris Belcher]

This is amazing! I’ve thought a lot about computer aided geometry tools to create wood frame geodesics, ideally something like an IKEA kit. Not technically inclined though so not going to be of that much help.

Using local skills and materials, would it be possible to use stone cutting for a foundation and locally made ceramic for the tiles? 

Godspeed,

-Chris

Sent from my iPhone

On Jul 9, 2026, at 6:54 AM, mohammed Rasmy <m7md....@gmail.com> wrote:

When conventional building materials are blocked, architecture has to return to first principles: geometry, earth, and human intelligence.

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[mohammed Rasmy]

Thank you very much, Chris! I really appreciate your kind words.

I agree with you. A stone foundation would be an excellent option wherever suitable stone and local masonry skills are available. As for ceramic blocks or tiles, they could certainly improve durability and weather resistance, although they require firing, which increases energy and production costs.

My current goal is to design a system that can be built using the simplest and most affordable materials available locally, even in places where industrial production is not possible. The design workflow is flexible, so it can be adapted to different materials, including fired ceramic, if local conditions allow.

The next step is to build the first full-scale prototype—around 30 m², enough for a small family—and validate the construction method under real conditions.

At the moment, the biggest challenge is not the engineering anymore; it is finding the right partners to help move from the digital model to the first physical prototype. If you happen to know anyone working in humanitarian shelter, sustainable construction, or innovation funding who might find this interesting, I would really appreciate an introduction.

Thank you again for your encouragement!

‫في الخميس، 9 يوليو 2026 في 5:15 م تمت كتابة ما يلي بواسطة ‪Chris Belcher‬‏ <‪alchy...@gmail.com‬‏>:‬

To view this discussion visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/geodesichelp/616389FD-8D85-4BE3-BA01-563BD7A7A80B%40gmail.com.

[Chris Belcher]

Greetings Mohammed,

I am asking around. I recommend at the very least you contact the Buckminster Fuller Institute (https://www.bfi.org/) to let them know about your project. 

Also suggested to me was Habitat for Humanity, and I would think the Carter Center would be interested as well.

-Chris

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On Jul 9, 2026, at 12:10 PM, mohammed Rasmy <m7md....@gmail.com> wrote:



To view this discussion visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/geodesichelp/CABn_QmcM4O0SwhxDC0vTfC435m3gkOxpzxzCSC%3DWF6JfADq1Qg%40mail.gmail.com.

[Chris Belcher]

Hi Mohammed,

Does your project have a website?

Thanks,

-Chris

Sent from my iPhone

On Jul 9, 2026, at 12:10 PM, mohammed Rasmy <m7md....@gmail.com> wrote:



Thank you very much, Chris! I really appreciate your kind words.

To view this discussion visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/geodesichelp/CABn_QmcM4O0SwhxDC0vTfC435m3gkOxpzxzCSC%3DWF6JfADq1Qg%40mail.gmail.com.

[rbalykov]

1) Don't precast, make in-situ
2) Tensegrity skeleton (woods) + mesh + cementous clay (arbolite, etc)

четверг, 9 июля 2026 г. в 13:54:56 UTC+3, mohammed Rasmy:

[rbalykov]

also, check out acidome project, it gives exact cut angles and dimentions.

четверг, 9 июля 2026 г. в 13:54:56 UTC+3, mohammed Rasmy:

When conventional building materials are blocked, architecture has to return to first principles: geometry, earth, and human intelligence.

[Gerry in Quebec]

Hi Mohammed,

Interesting and ambitious project. Thanks for the post. Perhaps you're aware of the Sphere Project (the name is unrelated to geodesic domes). It sets out global standards for humanitarian aid, including housing/shelter, based on input from many public and private organizations.

Here's the link to a rather old conversation about the Sphere Handbook, here on the Geodesic Help Group:

https://groups.google.com/g/geodesichelp/c/lXrmycJwNsI/m/0tUMjJIfWdMJ

The handbook may give you and your project some useful background info and guidance. I think I have some more up-to-date info on Sphere..... If so, I'll get back to you.

- Gerry in Québec

[Gerry in Quebec]

Hi again Mohammed,

Here's a link to "Shelter and Settlement", chapter 8 of the 2018 edition of the Sphere Handbook:

https://handbook.spherestandards.org/en/sphere/#ch008

- Gerry in Québec