PROJET DÉCHETS
PROJET ÉNERGIE / CONSTRUCTION
© 2018 par Ecosoum
PROMOTION OF ECO-CONSTRUCTION AND PROPER HOUSE INSULATION
GENERAL INFORMATION ABOUT OUR PROJECT
Our eco-construction project started in January, 2021, for a duration of 5 years.
Ecosoum’s objective is to improve the resilience of rural communities to climate change through the development of locally produced eco-construction materials and the promotion of proper house insulation.
The project was designed to start as a pilot experimentation in Khishig-Undur during the first two years, but it will progressively expend directly to three other soums of Bulgan province.
Our project is divided into 3 main goals:
1. to develop and introduce a compressed earth brick (CEB) technique which will enable producing local eco-construction materials and create sustainable jobs in the process.
2. to build and properly insulate prototype houses to demonstrate the relevance of this technique and the paramount importance of insulation, while providing households with trainings and material to insulate their own homes.
3. to replicate local accomplishments in other soums of the province and widely spread informative and guidance materials throughout the entire country to encourage further replication.
MAIN DONORS AND PARTNERS
Our eco-construction project is entirely funded by the Ministry of the Environment, Climate and Sustainable Development of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg.
Our implementing partner for this project is a Luxembourgish NGO named PADEM (Programmes d’Aide et de Développement destinés aux Enfants du Monde).
MAIN ACTIVITIES CARRIED OUT
MANUFACTURE OF COMPRESSED EARTH BRICK PRODUCTION MACHINES
We started by manufacturing a prototype of manual pressing machine to produce compressed earth bricks (CEB). After a series of tests and improvements, the first task of the project participants was to collaboratively manufacture their own machines: 6 manual presses were thus fully assembled by the project participants during their technical training. Self-assembly has the great advantage for participants to learn how to use and repair the machines themselves in the long run, as well as to improve the technology of the machine so as to increase productivity.
CREATION AND TRAINING OF A LOCAL COOPERATIVE
One of the main results of the first year of the project was to establish a brand-new local cooperative (khorshoo), which was named “Eco Temuulel” by its founding members. The purpose of creating such a cooperative was to unite community people and support their desire to work together for the benefit of their soum. Over its first 6 months of existence, the cooperative successfully produced thousands of bricks and blocks, and entirely constructed two buildings.
PRODUCTION OF 7,000 CEB AND 1,500 CONCRETE BLOCKS
During the first summer, the members of newly created Eco Temuulel khorshoo manufactured 7,000 compressed earth bricks following the guidance of our technicians and expert partner. This amount of brick was necessary to build the first prototype building planned in the project. This brick-making technology, which can be made using primarily local raw materials, is featured by low cement content and good heat retention. In addition, we supported Eco Temuulel to purchase a more conventional concrete block machine, so that they can diversify their production and match all expressed local needs.
CONSTRUCTION OF PROTOTYPE BUILDINGS
Eco Temuulel was then hired by Ecosoum to build two buildings with our technicians. The first building was the prototype made with the 7,000 CEB that the cooperative just finished producing. As the next phase of the project was focusing on insultation, the prototype building was properly insulated following simple and effective standards, so that the building can be used for demonstration to local communities.
The second building was the new waste management facility, which was partially built with the 1,500 concrete blocks produced by the cooperative. Eco Temuulel worked not only on building the walls with their blocks, but on all the phases of the construction, from foundation to inside work, so that they can learn all aspects of house construction from our experts. Both buildings are now finished and are being used by Ecosoum team.
DEVELOPMENT OF AN INSULATION “DECISION-MAKING TOOL”
The project developed a tool for insulation decision-making. This interactive tool is a supporting document for households that includes automatic calculation formulas and decision-making technical features for choosing and sizing house insulation materials. It includes data and information such as price analysis of insulation materials, supplier information and common house designs, etc. The tool was used as the primary instrument to insulate the prototype building and tens of houses in Khishig-Undur.
INSULATION OF TENS OF FAMILY HOUSES IN KHISHIG-UNDUR
We provided insulation material, doors and/or windows to tens of households, starting in Khishig-Undur. Our technicians provided adequate training to all participating families so that each household is able to self-insulate their house. Our experts followed-up each construction site to provide guidance and make sure self-insulation work always went smoothly.
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