UNESCO Academic Network
EBUKI UNESCO Earth Education
EBUKI is proud to be a key partner of the UNESCO Chair on Earthen Architecture. We played a pivotal role in suggesting the creation of an academic group dedicated to advancing this important field—and were honoured to be asked to lead the way. This page showcases the outcomes of that groundbreaking meeting and the subsequent call to action.
As part of our UNESCO partnership, EBUKI actively gathers reports every two years from university departments involved in earth building in any capacity. What started as a small initiative has flourished into a thriving network over the past decade, growing from just a handful of institutions to a powerful, collaborative force in the world of sustainable architecture.
The surge in interest surrounding earth building has inspired EBUKI to invite all participating departments to a dynamic meeting focused on exploring the future of earth building in education.
We are excited to share a range of innovative tools and resources that we’ve developed to teach and promote earth building and design. These include detailed learning outcomes, comprehensive trainer training programs, and an extensive collection of design and building experiences that can inspire and guide future projects.
Looking ahead, we propose a bold collaboration between universities to formalize the teaching, assessment, and evolution of earth building across various disciplines—architecture, engineering, surveying, construction management, health and well-being, archaeology, and art. Together, we can shape the future of this transformative field.
Higher and Further Education
EBUKI works with further and higher education bodies to create groups of teaching and training staff with earth design and build skills and knowledge, backed by UNESCO.
We believe it is only with this level of 'institutional memory' that earth can be properly implemented as a taught and assessed subject.
The Training for Trainers approach has been rigorously tested through our European-funded Jump! Project.
Training involves 2 to 5 days, two trainers, plus expenses
The Network
The network has grown over time and is currently predominantly architecture, engineering and archaeology. It began with those departments which we knew and requested reports from. We encourage other disciplines to join!
Expression of Interest
The first task for any joining university is to complete a document and a spreadsheet and send it to us [how? where?] to begin to understand what earth teaching is going on, at what level, whether assessed or not, mandatory or elective.
EBUKI provide training for technicians, trainers and educators. This is a vital part of the growth of this topic within education. Learners are keen to understand more but currently the materials aren’t available in departmental workshops, technicians don’t know how they work, trainers and educators are not aware of the scope of materials and technologies. Cooperation in this area can bring benefits, sharing costs and experience are both important considerations.
Then we need to work as a network to develop the existing tools to suit the specific requirements of the curriculum. This would be the basis of a national approach, something which the UK could be pioneers of.
Learning Outcome Units.
The Units of Learning Outcomes were developed by 18 organisations from 8 countries and were recognised by the UNESCO Chair on Earthen Architecture in 2017.
They were conceived within the European Qualifications Framework EQF and lend themselves to the structuring and development of a curriculum in across a number of disciplines, leading to a unique approach in the universities sector anywhere in the world.
Support
There is currently no financial support for this initiative. As the network establishes and grows we hope to look for funding from both the members and from external sources.
EBUKI’s Training Services
Professional Skills
Short Courses
Tradesperson Training
Continuous Professional Development
Introduction to Earth as a material
Community Workshops
Short Courses
Nature Connection
Community Cohesion
University Students
Construction Workshops
Building Physics with natural materials
Tailored courses