30: How Cheaper, Safer, and Cleaner Bricks Could Revolutionize Homebuilding Across Asia

About this episode

This episode discusses a new brick technology developed by Build up Nepal that aims to revolutionize homebuilding for low-income families in Nepal.

Episode Intro: Ross Chambless: In September 2025, the Wilkes Center awarded its annual Wilkes Climate Launch Prize to the organization Build up Nepal. Build up Nepal has developed a new approach to building homes for very low-income Nepalese using bricks that are not made by burning coal, but instead are compressed, and made with locally available materials, and with minimal cement. The technology is becoming a much more affordable, safer – and cleaner – design approach for tens of thousands ...

People in this episode

Host: Ross Chambless

Topics covered

• homebuilding
• sustainable materials
• climate innovation
• affordable housing
• Asia

Keywords

• bricks
• sustainable building
• compressed bricks
• climate launch prize
• affordable housing
• Nepal

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Wilkes Center, Build up Nepal

Places: Nepal

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