December, 2025
Approximately 150,000 structures in Jamaica sustained major damage from Hurrican Melissa, severely affecting at least 90,000 households.
We have a viable permanent solution - an affordable thin-shell ceramic cement house that we can provide to Jamaican families with your support.
As humanity faces increasing pressure from natural disasters, the way we respond sets the tone for our collective future. Our team has developed an innovative, permanent, low-cost, modular, and highly replicable housing solution for Jamaica. Once this is demonstrated, the model can also be deployed in other disaster-affected regions globally.
Our approach uses an ancient yet little-known material: geopolymer (ceramic) cement, an earth-based mineral binder. This material offers roughly 2x the compressive strength of Portland cement, 10x the lifespan, is waterproof and fireproof by default, and costs only slightly more than Portland. When combined with basalt roving reinforcement—a material 2x stronger and 3x lighter than steel, immune to corrosion, and comparable in cost —we can produce extraordinarily resilient thin-shell structures. Due to the superior performance of our materials, less is required, which keeps cost competitive.
Fundraising for our Rebuild Jamaica / RebuildJamaica.earth project continues as we discuss the design with our engineer specializing in thin-shell structures- Chris Zweifel / ZZ Consulting. We will produce a durable thin-shell ceramic cement structure that is also affordable. The structure has a rectangular base to follow cultural norms. Its double curvature structure (hyperbolic paraboloid) is one of the strongest shapes, which means it can be built with less material.
Our team has extensive experience working in Jamaica including the local construction processes, permitting pathways, and community needs.
Why Geopolymer Ceramic Cement (CC) vs Portland Cement (PC):
- CC can be made with very little water and seawater rather than fresh water. PC can't.
- CC contains 92% less embodied energy / carbon than PC.
- CC is about 2X the strength of PC, and just 10 - 20% more in cost per pound. Less material is required due to it's superior strength.
- CC is waterproof by default. PC is not.
- CC is fireproof. PC explodes with significant heat.
- By combining on site rubble from devastated buildings with CC, the waste material is made back into high performance concrete. PC can't do this.
For additional technical information about Ceramic Cement click here.
How you can help - we need YOU.
To join the Rebuild Jamaica initiative Donate Today.
We are currently raising 7k for design expenses including engineering and testing. Following that we will require about 100k for the pilot project where we will create a full size prototype. We will then seek funding for 100's (or 1000's) of homes which will be gifted to families in Jamaica. These homes will last for generations through whatever may come, reducing the hardships of natural disasters.
Anyone interested in assisting us as a volunteer, please get in touch.
Rebuild Jamaica is organized by Earthen Hand Natural Building / EarthenHand.com. A big thank you to our partners Geopolymer International / giaorg.org, Bamboo Master.co, JorgStamm.com, and 3dsd.org for supporting us in this humanitarian project with design, materials science knowledge, and manufacturing expertise.
Thank you for your commitment to meaningful solutions.
Immediate Goals
7k
Complete materials testing and engineering to show clearly that the design is durable.
100k
Mobilize the team, materials, and equipment to Jamaica to build the pilot project which will allow us to seek further funding in the millions.
