Natural Building Solutions for Nepal: The Urgent Need to Embrace Ecofriendly Building Materials

As a native of Nepal, who has lived in this beautiful country for over 20 years, I have witnessed firsthand, the rapid transformation of our landscapes. The majestic Himalayas, a symbol of natural wonder, now stand overshadowed by the alarming, uncontrolled urban sprawl of cities. The rise in pollution and the uncontrolled urbanization fueled by concrete and fire baked brick construction has caused serious environmental and cultural damage. This crisis does not just deeply concern me, but also has global implications, contributing to climate change, biodiversity, and loss of cultural identity. In this blog, I will delve into these pressing issues, emphasizing the urgent need for natural building materials. I will also showcase innovative companies driving sustainable change and explore how to support eco-friendly construction practices to preserve both the environment and Nepal’s cultural legacy.

The striking contrast between the majestic hills and the dense concrete jungle in the Kathmandu valley (source: The Annapurna Express)

Meanwhile in Germany

Dominance of conventional materials

In Germany, conventional building materials such as concrete, brick, and steel are commonly used in the majority of construction. Concrete and steel is prevalent in multi-story buildings due to its strength, flexibility and durability. Bricks are also very prevalent. Recently, materials like cross-laminated timber (CLT) have gained some popularity for their sustainability and lower carbon footprint. Although Germany's building codes do not explicitly include all sustainable materials, many are permitted if they meet specific performance, safety, and environmental standards. Materials such as recycled concrete, sustainable timber, and certain insulation materials are already commonly used and align with building regulations. Others, like hempcrete or geopolymer concrete, are more experimental and not explicitly codified but are allowed under certain conditions if they meet technical performance criteria.

Focus on Insulation

Building practices in Germany often focus on improving insulation to maintain indoor temperatures, so that artificial heating can be minimized. However, this approach is not usually carried out in a sustainable way because of the extensive use of foam board and XPS (Extruded Polystyrene Insulation), which have higher gray emissions. The natural building movement in Germany is gradually expanding, and utilizing organic or sustainable insulation materials like hemp and straw, which are progressively gaining traction as alternatives to conventional options.

Some reclaimed materials in German Architecture

Along with Germany’s determination to expand sustainable construction, some unique projects are worth mentioning as an inspiration for Nepal. In Hanover, the Recyclinghaus stands as Germany's first house built entirely from reclaimed materials. Architects employed creative solutions to repurpose various components: radiators, stairs, and several walls were crafted from repurposed sauna benches; the façade insulation was made from recycled jute sacks previously used for cocoa beans; and the windows were sourced from a former youth club. In Frankfurt, the Senckenberg Tower showcases a façade constructed predominantly from recycled aluminum, significantly reducing CO₂ emissions compared to conventional methods. This 106-meter-high office building features recycled aluminum as a façade element, underscoring Germany's interest integrating sustainable materials into modern construction.

 

The Case for Natural Materials in Nepal

Decline of traditional construction

Traditional stone and wood construction in Nepal is becoming increasingly impractical due to material scarcity, rising costs, and a lack of skilled labor. This necessitates exploring alternative local materials that, though not always traditional, present feasible solutions.

Benefits of going local

Using locally sourced natural construction materials in Nepal provides numerous environmental, economic, social, and cultural benefits while improving resilience to natural disasters. Materials like bamboo, rammed earth, and compressed stabilized earth blocks (CSEBs) reduce reliance on energy-intensive imports and production such as that of concrete and fired bricks, thereby lowering carbon emissions and mitigating ecological damage. Additionally, incorporating local materials in construction reflects the cultural identity of a region, as these materials are deeply intertwined with its history and way of life. Although rammed earth and bamboo construction require modern techniques, unlike Nepal’s traditional methods using stone or wood, they can significantly benefit communities when local workers are trained to merge traditional skills with modern practices.

Natural materials for disaster resilience

From a disaster-resilience perspective, natural materials such as bamboo and rammed earth have shown superior performance during seismic events, providing the flexibility and strength necessary to enhance safety in earthquake-prone areas.

Collaboration efforts from companies and organizations:

Local organizations driving change

In Nepal, some notable organizations are pioneering the use of natural building materials to promote sustainable construction and cultural preservation. ABARI, established in 2006, focuses on traditional materials such as bamboo and earth, integrating them into modern architecture to maintain Nepal's vernacular heritage. Their notable projects include the reconstruction of the Madan Puraskar Pustakalaya, Nepal's largest archive of literature, using bamboo and rammed earth. Green Bamboo Creation advocates for the return to natural materials in construction, utilizing mainly bamboo for smaller projects, but also combines it with earth. Build Up Nepal empowers local communities by promoting the use of Compressed Stabilized Earth Blocks (CSEBs), which are environmentally friendly and cost-effective, aiding in reconstruction efforts post the 2015 earthquake. These blocks eliminate the need for traditional firing methods, lowering greenhouse gas output by 35-60%. This initiative supports rural entrepreneurs, often women, to lead local construction projects, creating jobs and promoting eco-friendly practices.

Bamboo school constructed by Abari Nepal (source: abari.earth)

International support for Nepal

Internationally, German organizations have shown interest in supporting sustainable construction in Nepal. The Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH has promoted sustainable construction in Nepal by encouraging the use of low-carbon materials and climate-friendly techniques to reduce CO2 emissions. It has also supported training programs to empower rural communities and entrepreneurs in producing eco-friendly bricks and adopting resilient construction methods​ with the partnership of local NGOs. Additionally, the SWITCH-Asia program, funded by the European union has promoted the use of CSEB blocks in a relatively larger scale in earthquake struck neighborhoods. This way it targets its efforts towards a low carbon, resource efficient construction framework.

These collaborative efforts between Nepali organizations and international partners highlight a growing commitment to sustainable construction practices that honor cultural heritage while addressing environmental challenges.

Initiative by SWITCH Asia to build with CSEB Interlocking blocks (source: switch-asia.eu)

Challenges to adopting natural building materials

Perceptions and Policy barriers

Nepal faces numerous challenges in adopting natural building materials for construction, stemming from perception issues, policy and financial barriers, skill gaps, and market competition. Traditional materials like bamboo and mud are often perceived as outdated or inferior, particularly following the 2015 earthquake, despite evidence showing that structural failures during earthquakes were primarily due to improper construction techniques rather than the materials themselves. This perception is compounded by the widespread belief among Nepalis and policymakers that modern concrete structures are safer and more durable. Although some eco-friendly materials, such as Compressed Stabilized Earth Blocks (CSEBs), have been approved under national standards, only 2-3 of over 90 government-approved post-earthquake designs incorporate them, reflecting significant policy and financial barriers.

Labor shortages and market competition

Furthermore, accessing financial aid programs for reconstruction is often hindered by bureaucratic hurdles, limiting the adoption of natural materials. The situation is exacerbated by a shortage of skilled labor trained in eco-friendly construction techniques, as many masons and laborers have migrated abroad, leaving a domestic skills gap that organizations like ABARI are striving to address through community training programs. Meanwhile, natural material-based construction faces stiff competition from the industrial concrete sector, with very few firms promoting alternatives like bamboo and earth. For example, a recent survey found only three small-to-medium enterprises (SMEs) in Kathmandu producing CSEBs compared to the overwhelming number of firms relying on conventional methods.

German Collaboration

Knowledge exchange for sustainable architecture

A collaboration between Germany and Nepal could drive the adoption of natural building materials through some impactful approaches. Knowledge exchange could leverage Germany's expertise in sustainable architecture and material innovation, introducing modern techniques for bamboo, earth, and other eco-friendly materials while ensuring seismic resilience​. Through joint ventures, German firms could partner with Nepali organizations to establish scalable production units for natural materials, fostering innovation and creating local jobs. Education and training programs supported by German entities such as GIZ could address Nepal's skills gap, training local workers in advanced natural construction methods and enhancing community capacity.

Focusing on cultural tourism

Finally, focusing on cultural tourism that highlights eco-friendly architectural designs could promote Nepal's traditional craftsmanship and attract global interest, generating revenue to fund further sustainable development initiatives​. This partnership would balance cultural preservation with innovative sustainability, setting an example for green development globally.

 

Call to Action

Invest in local and global partnerships

The involvement and investment of local and international stakeholders in Nepal's construction sector can be pivotal in advancing the use of natural, eco-friendly building materials, driving innovation, and promoting sustainable practices. By supporting knowledge exchange programs and partnerships, one can help modernize traditional materials like bamboo and compressed earth blocks, making them more accessible.

The global impact of natural materials

Celebrating the ingenuity and heritage of natural materials is crucial, which not only represent Nepal’s identity but also serve as a model for sustainable living worldwide. Neglecting natural building materials in Nepal isn’t just a local concern—it has global implications for climate resilience, cultural preservation, and sustainable development. Together, we can make a profound impact on both local communities and the world.

by Geetika Khatri