Hway Ka Loke School, located in Mae Sot, Thailand, recently completed new classrooms for Burmese migrants and refugees on the Thai border. These classrooms were built using natural building techniques and locally sourced materials, including earthen bricks, as part of a project focusing on sustainable and culturally relevant design.
The project also included workshops to involve the community in the construction process, promoting both skills development and awareness of the complex political situation faced by Burmese migrants fleeing civil war. This initiative, supported by the Stiftung Deutscher Architekten and in collaboration with the school community, stands as a counter-narrative to the often temporary and unsustainable structures typically designed for this population.
Vernacular resilience
This project draws on traditional building techniques by actively involving local communities and students in the construction process and showcasing practical examples. A key objective was to revive the use of earthen bricks, known locally as “Baan Din.” The approach was deeply rooted in the local context, with decisions made in close collaboration with the school director, the parents' board, and community members.
Low-carbon construction methods were prioritized throughout the project, emphasizing materials that were locally sourced, self-produced, or recycled. The two primary materials—adobe bricks and reclaimed timber—embody this ethos. Around 4,500 adobe bricks were made on-site over four weeks using local soil rich in clay and mixed with readily available rice husk.
All timber used was second-hand, sourced exclusively from wood shops in nearby Mae Sot, eliminating the need for new timber harvesting and long-distance transport. Locally grown eucalyptus and bamboo—both fast-growing and well-suited to the climate—were also incorporated into the build. By relying entirely on self-produced and local materials, the project significantly reduced its carbon footprint, avoiding the emissions typically associated with industrial manufacturing and extended supply chains.
Earth and reuse
By using site-sourced soil and rice husk to produce adobe bricks, the project significantly reduces material impact. External walls are finished with a natural, water-repellent mix of tapioca starch, sand, and soil slag—an approach that avoids synthetic sealants. The use of reclaimed timber alongside locally sourced eucalyptus and bamboo reflects a clear commitment to renewable, low-impact resources. The replication of adobe brick-making on-site underscores the project’s sustainable ethos. Since only natural materials are used, no harsh chemical maintenance is required. Unstabilized earthen bricks naturally break down in the rain, returning harmlessly to the soil and leaving no lasting environmental trace.
The sustainability of this extension lies in its integration of circular economy principles. Every material used is either natural or recyclable, allowing the structure to be easily dismantled and repurposed. Timber frames and columns can be resold to local wood suppliers, roofing can be sent to recycling facilities, and the earthen bricks can simply return to the ground. This closed-loop approach minimizes waste and maximizes the usefulness of each resource.
