GroundworkPlan, test and build locally
Interactive planning modelConcept designNo account · choices are not savedLocal review required before building

Habitat planning tool

Early design · not ready to build

Plan homes people canown, fix and improve.

Compare 8 flexible designs. Change the climate, number of people, water, power and budget. See what works, what falls short and what still needs local proof.

Explore the 3D modelWhy this work matters
08
Starting designs
05
Climate settings
08
Steps from listening to handover

Why the systems belong together

A home fails when its basic systems fail.

A roof is not enough when water is unsafe, cooking harms people, power is unreliable, food is out of reach or no one nearby can make repairs. These problems have to be planned together.

013.4B

people may lack secure, safe and adequate housing

UN-Habitat · source ↗02117.8M

people were forcibly displaced at the end of 2025

UNHCR · source ↗032.1B

people still lacked safely managed drinking water in 2024

WHO / UNICEF · source ↗04655M

people still lacked electricity access in the latest report

World Bank + partners · source ↗052.6B

people could not afford a healthy diet in 2024

FAO + partners · source ↗
01

Start with safe land

People need the right to stay, a safe site, a real voice and a clear way to raise problems. A good building cannot fix unsafe land.

02

A minimum is not a home

Emergency standards can keep people alive. A lasting home also needs privacy, comfort, access, useful space and room to change.

03

Pay people for local work

Residents are clients and skilled partners, not free labor. Pay for training and building, and keep tools, drawings and repair work nearby.

04

Share systems, protect privacy

Tanks, batteries, tools and treatment can be shared. Sleeping, bathing, storage and family choices should stay private.

05

Plan for things to fail

Water, power and sanitation need safe shutoffs, simple bypasses and manual controls. Someone local must know how each system works.

06

Measure daily life

Track time saved, health, food, comfort, income, safety and local control—not just the number of panels or sensors installed.

Eight places to start

One design will not fit every place.

Each option shares water, power and tools in a different way. Choose the pattern that fits local life before choosing materials or equipment.

3D planning workspace

05

Sunwell Compound

Make shade first. Treat every litre as valuable.

A low dryland compound wraps private rooms around a deep shaded court. A separate solar pergola, wind tower, covered cisterns, wicking beds and a ventilated seed nursery create a cooler daily-life zone without overloading the roof.

Best for
Extended households and small cooperatives in hot, dry places with secure land and a tested non-rain backup water source.
Material logic
An engineered frame and ring beams carry the roof and shade. Protected earth or masonry infill provides mass while remaining replaceable and locally repairable.
Biosphere loop
Deep shade, night ventilation, wind capture, wicking beds and visible water accounting form one dryland microclimate.
Design · SunwellPlace · Hot + aridUnits · Metric / USDStatus · Concept onlyNo account · choices are not saved
Explore the buildingThe model and numbers use the same choices
Interactive 3D modelSunwell Compound

Preparing the building, systems and inspection controls…

The model loads when this workspace comes into view.Plans and calculations remain available below.
Household10 people8.4 m² indoors each
Daily water590 L5.3 m³ stored
Solar array4.4 kW11 × 400 W modules · 4.4 kW needed
Materials$112,326Early allowance · not a quote

Water, power and food

Can the basic systems carry the load?

Change the inputs and watch the balance move. These numbers help with early planning. They do not replace local tests, quotes or engineering.

Power used each day8.3 kWhEssential + household load allowance
Solar needed4.4 kW5.8 peak-sun-hours · 28% system allowance
Battery storage15.5 kWh1.5 day target · 80% usable basis
Water storage5.3 m³Domestic reserve + short garden buffer
Demand covered by rain10%of modeled annual domestic + garden demand at 280 mm/year
Possible fresh produce816 kg/yr≈ 224 g/person/day · not staple calories
Indoor space8.4 m²/pscreening floor: 3.5 m²/person for this climate
Rough material cost$112,3262026 USD · materials only · editable local index
More water is needed

Rain supplies about 10% of the modeled yearly need. Find and test a reliable backup source before making promises.

Indoor space check

The model clears the selected emergency minimum. Privacy, culture, accessibility and local rules still need review.

What the garden can do

These beds can add fresh and familiar food. Feeding everyone completely would need much more land, water, seed, storage and work.

Early drawings

Useful for discussion. Not ready for construction.

These drawings show space, movement and system locations. A local team still has to design the foundations, structure, connections, drainage, sanitation and hazard protection.

Concept plan · dimensions in metres · verify on site
S01

Pre-engineering design basis

Occupied area
84 m² enclosed + 60 m² shaded
Structural grid
3.0 m rooms / 4.0 m shaded court bays
Roof / catchment
6–10° split mono-pitch + detached solar pergola · 110 m² modeled catchment
Design life
40+ years with maintained roof, plinth and earth finishes
Accessibility intent
Step-free primary route, 900 mm clear entry and adaptable toilet/turning space
Fire / egress intent
Protected cooking, visible isolation, outward path to safe open space; final travel and separation by local code
Structural loads
Establish from adopted local code and site hazard study; no generic wind, snow, seismic or flood load is safe here
Ground / foundation
Geotechnical bearing, settlement, frost, expansive soil, slope, liquefaction, scour and drainage review
G01

Release gates

  1. Water budget and tested dry-season source accepted by residents
  2. Flood path, soil and overheating study completed
  3. Full-scale earth wall and roof connection tests passed
  4. Nursery-dome bay, shade skin, anchors and erection sequence verified
  5. PV pergola, cistern and sanitation commissioning witnessed
  6. Hot-season inspection and maintenance reserve funded
Construction release requires local signatures.

A locally licensed architect/engineer, authority, WASH lead, electrician and resident body must resolve and sign the applicable gates. This study cannot be stamped universally because the missing site facts determine life safety.

Generated files preserve the assumptions shown above and remain marked preliminary.

Materials and buying

A starting budget, not a quote.

Quantities change with the setup. Prices are rough 2026 USD allowances. They do not include land, labor, freight, taxes, permits, professional work, finance or difficult site conditions.

Configured materials$112,326
Paid crew effort320 days
Material / person$11,233
System / itemQuantityPlanning unitLine allowanceProcurement route
Dryland survey, swale layout, drainage and protected accessMap flash-flood paths, prevailing dust, water access and shaded daily routes before fixing the plan.
1.00 site$6,148$6,148Local surveyor + earthworks crew
Bolted court frame, ring beams, shade posts and verified footingsEarth walls are protected infill; the engineered frame carries roof, shade and seismic loads.
6,800 kg-eq$3$23,066Local structural fabricator + masonry team
Numbered nursery-dome struts, bolted hubs, base ring and anchorsThe dome is a protected plant nursery, not living space. A local engineer must verify its hubs, anchorage, wind loading and safe erection sequence.
1.00 kit$7,208$7,208Local structural fabricator + hardware supplier
Protected earth infill, capillary break and reflective split roofFull-scale wall samples must pass strength, erosion, moisture and finish checks.
170 m²$76$12,974Local earth-building and roofing crews
Replaceable dome shade mesh, insect liner and roll-up ventsSelect shade percentage and ventilation from crop trials; do not use a sealed clear skin in extreme dryland heat.
62 m²$19$1,183Regional agricultural-mesh dealer + local sewing shop
Private rooms, accessible wash space, cool pantry and shaded kitchenThe courtyard is shared; sleeping, washing and secure storage remain private.
84 m²$175$14,692Local carpentry, masonry and plumbing trades
Dust-serviceable PV array, racking, protection and cablingKeep cleaning access and a clear unshaded service strip around every module group.
4.40 kW$668$2,938Qualified regional solar installer
Inverter, essential-load board and modular LFP storageCooling, water and communications stay on named essential circuits with manual isolation.
1.00 system$12,190$12,190Authorized solar and battery integrator
Covered cisterns, level indicators, overflow and draw-off pointsRain capture supplements a tested dry-season source; it is not treated as a guaranteed annual supply.
24,000 L$0$7,123Local tank or ferrocement contractor
Water treatment, handwashing and locally approved sanitationTreatment follows source testing and sanitation follows an approved containment and service plan.
1.00 system$10,176$10,176Local WASH team
Shaded wicking beds, nursery, compost and gravity dripPrioritize vegetables, herbs and seedlings; staple calories still depend on wider land and markets.
100 m²$36$3,604Local growers + irrigation dealer
Offline repair guide, environmental sensors and printed fallbackThe guide can explain and translate; it does not control water, cooling or access.
1.00 node$1,484$1,484Regional electronics cooperative
Commissioning, paid training, spares and first-year correction reserveFund seasonal inspection after the hottest period and after the first major rain.
1.00 lot$9,540$9,540Mixed local sources
Configured material planning total$112,326Obtain three local quotes before funding approval.

Where to buy

Buy nearby when it is safe and practical.

These links are starting points, not endorsements. Look first for safe reused parts, then local makers and regional suppliers. Avoid systems that cannot be repaired nearby.

01Local first

Certified local sawmill / bamboo cooperative

Frame + joinery

Ask for grading, species durability, moisture content and a replanting / chain-of-custody record.

Reference ↗02Local first

Local steel, roofing and civil fabricators

Structure + site

Issue drawings and test one connection bay before volume production; require traceable steel and coating.

Reference ↗03Local first

Local tank, plumbing and water laboratory network

Water + sanitation

Choose components only after source testing; keep replacement valves, seals and filter media locally stocked.

Reference ↗04Local first

Local nursery, seed bank and grower cooperative

Food + livelihoods

Prioritize culturally preferred, climate-suitable crops and farmer-to-farmer training over imported grow kits.

Reference ↗05Europe / global projects

Oskam VF

Compressed earth block equipment

Manual and mobile block presses; compare with local machine fabrication and shared cooperative ownership.

Reference ↗06Multi-region

Simpson Strong-Tie

Tested structural connectors

Use a local engineer’s demand/capacity schedule; do not select hurricane ties by appearance.

Reference ↗07Global distribution

Canadian Solar

PV module reference

Reference 440–470 W certified modules; compare at least three bankable regional brands and verify warranty service.

Reference ↗08Global distributor network

Victron Energy

Off-grid power electronics

MPPT/inverter reference with published manuals; local electrician still owns protection, earthing and code compliance.

Reference ↗09Global distribution

Pylontech

Modular LFP storage

4.8 kWh rack module reference; require local warranty, compatible BMS/inverter and safe battery-room design.

Reference ↗10Global distributor network

Netafim Netakit

Smallholder drip irrigation

Reference kits for 250–1,000 m² plots; compare with locally repairable gravity-drip components.

Reference ↗11Global reseller network

Raspberry Pi + AI HAT+ 2

Low-power offline computer reference

A constrained offline node for manuals, translation and advisory tools—not a safety controller or surveillance appliance.

Reference ↗12Open source

llama.cpp

Local inference software

Runs quantized models locally on varied hardware; pin versions, test languages and preserve a non-AI workflow.

Reference ↗13Global standard reference

WHO household water treatment evaluation

Treatment validation

Use independently evaluated technologies and locally verified water quality; brand claims alone are insufficient.

Reference ↗14Global / open guidance

Eawag sanitation compendium

Sanitation selection reference

Compare complete sanitation chains, including collection, transport, treatment and safe end use/disposal.

Reference ↗

How the project moves

Build local skill as the project grows.

The schedule makes room for listening, testing, a full-size prototype, paid training and fixes after people move in. Skipping those steps often creates unsafe or abandoned systems.

Planning horizon38 weeks
Stabilization included90 days
Named handover gates6
  1. 01

    Listen + secure

    3 weeks

    Tenure, needs, safety, culture, maintenance roles and a no-harm charter are agreed.

    Accountable

    Residents + land / protection partners

  2. 02

    Survey + verify

    3 weeks

    Hazards, soil, water, access, code, food land and supply chains are tested.

    Accountable

    Local civil, structural, WASH and agronomy team

  3. 03

    Prototype + train

    2 weeks

    One bay, wall, roof edge and systems board are built, tested and revised.

    Accountable

    Paid local builders + resident apprentices

  4. 04

    Ground + services

    3 weeks

    Drainage, foundations, sanitation and buried services pass inspection.

    Accountable

    Civil / foundation crew

  5. 05

    Frame + close in

    8 weeks

    Continuous load path, weather layer, openings, shade and accessibility are complete.

    Accountable

    Local construction cooperative

  6. 06

    Connect systems

    4 weeks

    Power, water, sanitation, growing and offline knowledge systems are commissioned.

    Accountable

    Qualified electrical, water and food teams

  7. 07

    Prove + hand over

    2 weeks

    Manual operation, shutdown, water safety, drills, spares and maintenance fund are proven.

    Accountable

    Residents + independent inspectors

  8. 08

    90-day stabilization

    13 weeks

    Real consumption, yield, comfort, failures and complaints drive the first revision.

    Accountable

    Resident operators + project team

Resident body

Sets the brief and can stop the project.

Approves layout, privacy, access, data rules, utility allocation, complaints, operator selection and final handover.

Local technical team

Checks the site and signs off on safety.

Surveys, engineers, tests, adapts, documents, inspects and certifies to local law and hazards.

Funding / delivery partner

Pays for continuity without taking control.

Funds paid participation, maintenance reserve, spares, post-occupancy correction and transparent procurement.

Optional offline guide

It can explain and translate. It cannot make safety decisions.

A small computer can run an AI guide without sending the community's information to the cloud. It can search manuals, translate instructions and help plan repairs or crops. Water and power must stay safe when it is wrong, offline or switched off.

01Simple sensorsTank, flow, battery, temperature, soil moisture
02Local notesResident-owned, offline by default, minimal retention
03Offline guideExplains, translates and flags. It does not control equipment.
04Human decisionNamed operator uses a documented manual control
Good uses
  • Search local-language repair and health guidance offline
  • Explain abnormal water or energy trends to an operator
  • Translate labels, training and maintenance checklists
  • Draft crop, inventory and preventative-maintenance plans
Hard prohibitions
  • No aid eligibility, rent, policing or access decisions
  • No face recognition, hidden microphones or default cameras
  • No medical, structural or water-safety diagnosis as authority
  • No hidden cloud export, vendor lock-in or AI-only operation
Reference kit
Compute
Repairable low-power mini PC or Raspberry Pi-class node
Model
Small, tested, quantized local model + curated documents
Power
Essential circuit with graceful shutdown and spare drive
Control
Physical network/AI off switch and printed manual fallback

Sources and limits

Show where the numbers come from.

These sources support the early assumptions. A local team still has to check the climate, culture, law, hazards and real site.

01

Shelter is more than area

3.5 m²/person is an emergency minimum in warm climates; 4.5–5.5 m²/person is indicated for cold climates and urban settings.

Design implication

The configurator treats those figures as a floor, not a design target, and preserves privacy, storage, cooking and shaded daily-life space.

02

Water quantity follows service level

15 L/person/day is a survival-level humanitarian allocation. WHO describes about 50 L/person/day with an on-plot tap as an intermediate service level supporting basic hygiene.

Design implication

The tool offers survival, basic and dignified water targets and never treats the emergency minimum as long-term success.

03

Rain is a source, not a guarantee

Safe rainwater systems need clean catchments, covered tanks, first-flush management, treatment where appropriate and ongoing sanitary inspection.

Design implication

Annual capture is compared with demand; a tested backup source remains mandatory when rainfall cannot close the balance.

04

Food resilience is not a rooftop calorie myth

FAO notes intensive microgardens can reach up to 20 kg/m²/year, but crop, skill, climate, water and market conditions determine real yield.

Design implication

The model uses a more conservative 12 kg/m²/year planning yield and reports fresh produce—not full dietary or calorie autonomy.

05

Storage is sized around loads and autonomy

Battery energy must be tested against average load, power demand, usable depth of discharge and desired hours or days of autonomy.

Design implication

The configurator exposes daily demand, PV size and usable storage assumptions instead of hiding them behind a package label.

The next step

Test one design with one community.

Replace the example settings with local knowledge, measured weather, tested water, secure land, local rules and real prices. Build one small part, learn from it and improve the design before growing.