Hunnar Shaala Foundation for Building Technology and Innovations

Hunnar Shaala Foundation for Building Technology and Innovations advances community-driven development through sustainable construction, integrating traditional knowledge with modern building science. It empowers rural communities by supporting projects such as Shaam-e-Sarhad Village Resort, which promotes ecological awareness, and Kosi Flood Rehabilitation, which introduces cost-effective, disaster-resilient techniques. Through initiatives like Indira Awas Yojana, it provides technical facilitation for rural housing, enhancing safety and community participation. Its reconstruction efforts, including post-earthquake recovery in Kutch and post-riot rehabilitation in Muzaffarnagar, ensure culturally sensitive and structurally secure housing. By focusing on participatory design, training artisans, and utilising local materials, it fosters resilience, economic stability, and sustainable development in vulnerable communities.

Hunnar Shaala Foundation for Building Technology and Innovations leads urban slum redevelopment by integrating sustainable construction and community participation. Under the RAY initiative, it oversees the transformation of slum settlements in Bhuj, Gujarat, ensuring minimal relocation and in-situ upgradation. It facilitates tenure rights, supports decentralised infrastructure, and promotes traditional building techniques alongside modern innovations like debris wall construction, dual plumbing, and solar street lighting. The implementation process is community-driven, with registered Slum Sabhas managing infrastructure and overseeing the construction of individual housing. Through participatory planning, technical facilitation, and empowerment of residents, it strengthens urban resilience, enhances livelihoods, and fosters dignified living conditions.

Hunnar Shaala Foundation for Building Technology and Innovations fosters sustainable development through participatory architecture and ecological conservation. It collaborates with educational institutions to create climate-responsive campuses, integrates traditional craftsmanship in modern designs, and supports mobile schools for nomadic communities. Its projects include restoring heritage structures, designing resilient educational spaces, and constructing research centres that balance local materials with environmental sensitivity. By incorporating passive architecture, decentralised infrastructure, and artisan-led construction, it promotes sustainable living, cultural preservation, and community-led habitat development in diverse regions.

Hunnar Shaala Foundation for Building Technology and Innovations supports artisans by integrating traditional techniques into sustainable, market-ready products. It collaborates with master artisans to refine eco-friendly construction methods, demonstrating their effectiveness through implemented projects. It provides technical, financial, and administrative support to artisan-led enterprises, enabling them to scale independently. Its initiatives include Span, specialising in space frame systems; Lustre, focusing on lime plastering; Wood Grains, crafting wooden structures; and Layers, advancing stabilised rammed earth construction. Through training, design assistance, and business facilitation, it strengthens artisanal enterprises and promotes sustainable craftsmanship.

Hunnar Shaala Foundation for Building Technology and Innovations integrates traditional and modern construction techniques to promote sustainable architecture. It collaborates with artisans and architects to develop innovative design solutions, emphasising eco-friendly materials and waste recycling. Its campus demonstrates rammed earth construction, Balinese thatching, and reclaimed wood structures, showcasing efficient, low-energy designs. It supports architectural projects like the Khamir Craft Facility, where artisans apply techniques such as Wattle & Daub and lime plastering. By fostering continuous learning and participatory design, it advances climate-responsive building practices and strengthens artisan-led enterprises.