Concise acquaintance with the Earthartist group
“Urbanization is expanding in Iran. The difficulties associated with urban living have become an inseparable part of this transformation. Slums and settlements on the outskirts of cities are the centers of social anomalies and environmental pollution. The people of these areas have no access to proper shelters, educational facilities, welfare, and an environment that meets the minimum habitat standards. On the other hand, when natural disasters such as floods and earthquakes occur or when man-made disasters happen due to political and social conflicts such as war, many people leave their villages and stay in temporary settlements for a period of time that sometimes lasts for years. According to the statistics of the International Research Institute of Seismology, about 8% of the world’s earthquakes and about 17% of the world’s major earthquakes happen in the Iranian plateau. Furthermore, the highest number of victims of natural disasters in developing countries are poor parts of the society who live in unsafe and/or worn-out houses. On the other hand, the use of carcinogenic and non-environmental-friendly materials has prevailed. This has worsened the problem of environmental pollution. Facing such situations, people can get help from professional architectural capacities and properties, to achieve approaches that result in the improvement of life conditions of those who are trapped in a cycle of environmental pollution problems and also in order to reach the final goal which is to prepare an appropriate basis for public survival. Therefore, the Earthartist group decided to launch the education, research, and promotion of ABARKHESHT/SuperAdobe (which was first devised by the Iranian architect Nader Khalili) in Iran. The Earthartist group started its activity officially in 2019 by a number of architecture students. The first and main goal of this group is to familiarize the Iranian audience with this type of earthen construction, as much as possible. Because it does not suit this construction to be abandoned in its country of origin. People of any age and with any educational background are welcome. Accordingly, this group conducts several workshops and also implements projects throughout Iran.”