Green Building — Long Way Home

build with us

Everyone has a project, there are multiple ways we can assist you with your green build!

You can purchase the blueprints of one of our existing designs.

OR

You can take advantage of our experience to co-create your own design with us. This does not require any experience in construction or architecture, just the willingness to create something unique!

Create it. Build it.

How do you Build with us?

Your first option is to buy the blueprints of one of our existing designs (Option A in the table below). These designs have already been used to build real structures meeting the needs of real people. If you have experience in the construction field and want a quick ready-to-build design, this option is made for you! Our existing designs can be found here.

Alternatively, you can take advantage of our experience to co-create your own design with us (Options B & C in the table below). Through multiple exchanges and a site visit, together we will define what a perfect build for you would look like and figure out how to make it as comfortable and sustainable as possible within your given budget. This does not require any experience in construction or architecture, just the willingness to create something unique!

Explore our different building designs here!

Once your design is set, our construction services are available for your use, and we will send highly experienced foremen who have been working with green building techniques for years. They can collaborate and teach local workers these techniques.

If you would prefer to carry out your green build without our construction assistance, we will deliver you all the necessary blueprints and information to do so.

Hero School - How to Build a Tire Wall

Not sure which design option is best for your project?

Click the button below to book a 1-hour consultation call with two of our green building experts!

PROJECT INQUIRIES

FAQs

For a more detailed answer to all FAQs, please refer to LWH Design and Construction Processes.

In how many months can I get my sustainable building done?

Every project is different and therefore the timing for each project is unique. Design time can be roughly assessed to be around 4 months, the construction time is not estimable ahead of the design phase as it depends on the nature of the project. Other aspects of the project must be taken into account; such as budget, logistics or labour force available in the site area. Estimates of construction timescale are typically provided during the design phase.

How much would the entire project cost me?

The basic design cost is given for each category of project in the above table. However, it is impossible to assess the construction cost ahead of the design phase as it will depend on the nature of the project, local prices of materials, cost of local labor force, etc. Estimates of construction cost are typically provided during the design phase.

I have a project, what ARE the steps to make it HAPPEN with LWH?

The typical steps are as follows:

Consultation: We organize a call where you explain your project and we find together the best way to help you
Concept Design: You collaborate with us to define the project global shapes, sizes, and layout
Detailed Design: You collaborate with us to refine the design and get everything ready for construction
Construction

Can I contract LWH for design only and then take care of construction by myself?

Abslolutely! If you choose this option, we would provide you with all the design documents and information needed for the construction process.

WHY HIRE THE LWH construction team?

If you contract LWH for the construction of your project, we will send our Construction Manager, Adam, along with a few builders to your site, who have extensive experience in greenbuilding techniques. They will collaborate with local workers, thus making the construction faster, and above all entirely safe.

Can I see examples of LWH Designs and buildings?

You can find tons of videos of our projects on our Youtube channel. If you want more detailed information on the projects, take a look at our Los Técnicos Website.

Can I have a chat on the phone with LWH staff to explain my project and get their opinion on it?

Yes, you can book a consultation with Matt (Executive Director) and Germain (Construction Services Coordinator) in which you can explain the details of your project. They will give you their opinion on the project and guide you towards the best way to make it . This consultation does not commit you to work with LWH. Consultations can be booked here.

If I contract LWH services, who would I work with and how would we collaborate exactly?

You will work with Matt (Executive Director), Adam (Construction Manager) and Germain (Construction Services Coordinator) during the design phase. You will also work with our team of builders if you want our help for the construction phase. The detailed collaboration process can be found in the LWH Design and Construction Processes.

What if my question Was not listed here?

You may find the answer to your question in the LWH Design and Construction Processes. If not, please send an email to greenbuilding@longwayhome.org.

Meet our Building team

Félix

Gardener and Constructor
Adam

Construction Manager and Design Builder
Edwin

Gardener
Romeo

Builder Foreman
Roberto

Builder Foreman

Testimonial: José Pérez Carbonero

Director, Rekko Guatemala

Project: Health Center in Santa María de Sibajá (Yepocapa, Guatemala)

Thanks to Long Way Home, the village has now the best health center in the whole department. It is a spacious and bright place with running water and electricity. It is the pride of the inhabitants of Sibajá and the perfect place for their health care. Rekko´s role has been to act as intermediary and facilitator of the project, accompanying the evolution and encouraging the community.

The beginning of this story dates back to 2018, when in June the volcano Fuego erupted, taking the lives of more than 400 people. The tragedy generated a huge national and international reaction, and Long Way Home contacted us to propose building a Health Post in a community in the affected area.

The project of the new Health Center was proposed to the community and we took the community leaders to San Juan Comalapa so that they get to know the Long Way Home headquarters and the particularity of their projects which is to build with recycled materials, tyres, bottles, plastics... It is difficult to explain this concept without seeing it. Visiting the campus in San Juan Comalapa as well as talking with the Long Way Home team helped the community to understand the specificity of this type of construction. The other specificity of Long Way Home´s proposal, which gives even more merit to the achievement, was the idea of involving the community itself in the collection of materials as well as in the construction.

After several community assemblies to inform about Long Way Home’s proposal, the community voted in favour of the project. A community space in the centre of the village was ceded and work shifts for the locals were organised. There were ups and downs, periods of discouragement, but thanks to the determination of the local community along with the impetus of the Long Way Home team, the project was completed by the end of 2020.