“Build Change”
fuels hope for reconstruction

Our objectives

Thousands of people were injured or have lost their lives in the devastating earthquakes of 2008 in China, 2009 in Indonesia and 2010 in Haiti. Even today, the extent of the destruction is visible everywhere and millions of people are still homeless.

In an effort to promote reconstruction, the Hilti Foundation has teamed up with the non-profit organization Build Change which has specialized in earthquake-resistant housing construction in the developing world.

Our activities

Build Change studies local construction materials, working methods and existing know-how in developing suitable construction concepts for earthquake-resistant housing.

The organization has sought close cooperation with local contractors, engineers, architects and authorities to help develop new construction criteria und standards. It has developed various tools such as construction plans for single or multi-family homes and has worked on guidelines about building material quantity and safety requirements. Additional emphasis will be laid on developing local knowledge through homebuilder and contractor training. The Hilti Foundation is keen on making a long-term reconstruction effort.

Our track record

Earthquake-resistant buildings¹: 1,278
Trained construction workers²: >100
Skilled workers³: 89

Earthquake-resistant buildings: 2,500
Trained construction workers: 388
Skilled workers: 461

Earthquake-resistant buildings: project starts in 2011
Trained construction workers: 290
Skilled workers: 12

¹ Number of houses which are better because of Build Change's inputs.
² Number of builders and contractors who completed a 3-day Build Change builder training course, or received on-the-job training from Build Change.
³ Number of local engineers, architects, or other construction professionals employed and mentored by Build Change or attending Build Change's training courses.
(Source: Build Change)


Disaster relief


Sustainable reconstruction of destroyed homes and buildings by developing earthquake-resistant construction methods, knowledge transfer, training and education.

Geographic focus

Haiti, Indonesia, China


6 steps to develop earthquake-resistant buildings

  • Analysis: Why did some buildings collapse in the earthquake while others didn’t?
  • Development: Which construction method is earthquake-resistant?
  • Knowledge transfer: How can skills and qualifications be passed on to the local population?
  • Demand: How can low-income homeowners be encouraged to invest in earthquake-resistant homes?
  • Capital: How can one provide access to affordable financing?
  • Impact: Will earthquake-resistant homes continue to be built once the foreign organizations have left?
Links & Downloads

Build Change