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Hero School Campus
Buildings
Hero School Campus
More About This Project
LWH has transformed rubbish into a PreK-High School campus in Comalapa, Guatemala which demonstrates green building techniques.
Hero School Campus
Buildings
Science Lab
More About This Project
This is the very first school based science laboratory in the history of Comalapa and our state.
0
Experiments
Hero School Campus
Buildings
Tire House
More About This Project
This was our first attempt at using tires to build a home. It’s successful completion inspired the construction of the Hero School campus.
1
Experiments
Hero School Campus
Buildings
Earthbag Kitchen
More About This Project
This profile is the story of our first attempt at using earth bags in the construction of a home and inspired the earth bag classrooms at the Hero School campus..
2
Hero School Campus
Buildings
Barrel Vault Tire Classrooms
More About This Project
These classrooms are made of more than 2000 tires with 7 arched concrete roofs and no sharp corners.
3
Hero School Campus
Buildings
Earthbag Dome
More About This Project
The earthbag dome is nearly earthquake proof and sequesters a literal ton of trash.
4
Hero School Campus
Buildings
Two Story Dome
More About This Project
The multi-layer structure proves the strength of earthbag construction. It supports a full second story of ecobricks and  cob.
5
Hero School Campus
Buildings
Triple Earthbag Domes
More About This Project
This set of buildings uses 50 layers of dirt filled bags for their structure. They sit on a foundation of gravel filled tires.
6
Hero School Campus
Water Collection
Water Harvesting Corridor
More About This Project
This beautiful structure is made of arched concrete vaults with glass-brick skylights that gravity feed water into a 42,500 gallon cistern..
7
Hero School Campus
Water Collection
42,500 Gallon Cistern
More About This Project
The massive 22 foot wide cistern is made of 1,000 tires and 12,000 pounds of rebar. All of this is needed to hold 175 tons of water.
8
Hero School Campus
Buildings
Bamboo and Trash Bottle House
More About This Project
This bamboo frame octagonal house is made of ecobricks and cob and the roof shingles are made from plastic bottles.
9
Hero School Campus
Waste Management
Hero School Septic System
More About This Project
The waste management system is made of 4 black water filtration chambers that go to an off-campus drainage field.
10
Hero School Campus
Buildings
Dome Library
More About This Project
The library sits on top of our 42,500 gallon cistern. Its dome is made of rebar, cement and glass bottle skylights and is a favorite spot for teachers and students.
11
Hero School Campus
Buildings
Oval Tire Classrooms
More About This Project
These four classrooms are built into one of our tire retaining walls. The footprint of the structure is 100’ by 30’.
12
Hero School Campus
Buildings
Dome Tire House
More About This Project
This structure is built into one of our tire retaining walls. It follows an east-west axis and is connected to three other dome structures.
13
Hero School Campus
Retaining Walls
Northside Tire Retaining Wall
More About This Project
We used 1000 tires to construct this massive retaining wall. It is the backbone of our Hero School.
14
Hero School Campus
Retaining Walls
Southside Tire Retaining Wall
More About This Project
We used 1080 tires to transform this eroding cliff into a retaining wall that supports our Hero School.
15
Hero School Campus
Retaining Walls
Volunteer Quarters Tire Retaining Wall #1
More About This Project
We used 624 tires to make this retaining wall that stretches across the Hero School campus.
16
Hero School Campus
Retaining Walls
Volunteer Quarters Tire Retaining Wall #2
More About This Project
We used 1021 tires to make the wall that forms the platform for the Long Way Home volunteer quarters.
17
Hero School Campus
Retaining Walls
Entrance Tire Retaining Wall
More About This Project
We used 1200 tires to make the 6 walls that run along the bottom of the Hero School campus.
18
Hero School Campus
Retaining Walls
Upper Platform Tire Retaining Wall
More About This Project
We built this wall to hold back an eroding cliff face that was washing away during the wet season.
19
Hero School Campus
Retaining Walls
Terrace Tire Retaining Wall
More About This Project
This wall supports the garden and gathering area in the heart of the Hero School campus.
20
Hero School Campus
Retaining Walls
Mid-Campus Tire Retaining Wall
More About This Project
This retaining wall is made of 730 tires and holds back an eroding cliff behind our barrel vault classrooms.
21
Hero School Campus
Retaining Walls
West Side Tire Retaining Wall
More About This Project
This wall has a set of stairs built into it and helps form the foundation for our oval tire classrooms.
22
Hero School Campus
Water Collection
4000 Gallon Tire Cistern
More About This Project
This 7 foot by 4 foot cistern is gravity fed. It is made out of packed tires and ecobricks.
23
Hero School Campus
Buildings
Tire Bathroom & Solar Shower
More About This Project
This bathroom is made with packed tires and accompanies one of the houses on our campus.
24
Hero School Campus
Waste Management
4 Stall Dry Compost Latrine
More About This Project
This latrine block is framed with bamboo and its walls are filled with eco bricks.
25
Hero School Campus
Water Collection
Ferrocement Water Storage Tanks
More About This Project
This reservoir system is made of 8 tanks that hold 3,660 gallons of water. It gravity feeds to the flush-latrines below.
26
Hero School Campus
Waste Management
2 Stall Dry Compost Latrine
More About This Project
Adjacent to our ecobrick and bamboo house, one latrine is used while the others waste decomposes into fertilizer.
27
Hero School Campus
Stoves
Cob Oven
More About This Project
This is the first cob oven we built, its design and execution has since been honed and are taught to our Seventh graders.
28
Hero School Campus
Buildings
Administration Building
More About This Project
Serving as the base for our Cafeteria, this structure is set into the hillside, its packed tire walls retaining the dirt around it.
29
In Progress
Hero School Campus
Buildings
Cafeteria
More About This Project
This in Progress structure sits on top of our administration building, at the moment we need to finsh the interiorto start serving food.
30
Hero School Campus
Buildings
Teachers Lounge
More About This Project
This tire walled structure has a concrete slab roof and cob/plaster finishes. Check out the polished floor.
31
In Progress
Hero School Campus
Buildings
Auxiliary Classroom
More About This Project
This extra classroom will sit on top of the teachers lounge, it will be framed by concrete columns with walls of ecobricks and cob.
32
Off Campus
Hero School Campus
Off-Grid Rural Classroom
More About This Project
In 2024 we transformed tires and ecobricks into an off-grid classroom for a village in Guatemala.
36
Off Campus
Hero School Campus
Parque Chimiya
More About This Project
Long Way Home’s first project, Parque Chimiyá, was built as a service to the community of Comalapa, Guatemala.
37
Off Campus
Hero School Campus
Buildings
2 Car 2-Story Tire Garage
More About This Project
Project details on a two story, two car garage made of tires built in Massachusetts
38
Off Campus
Hero School Campus
Buildings
Off-Grid Tire Home #1
More About This Project
Enjoy the project details of the unique off grid tire home. This was the result of a collaboration with Earthship Biotecture and benefitted a low income family.
39
Off Campus
Hero School Campus
Buildings
Off-Grid Tire Home #2
More About This Project
Click to see project details on this off grid tire home built in San Juan Comalapa, Guatemala in 2013 by LWH and Earthship Biotecture to benefit a family.
40
Off Campus
Hero School Campus
Buildings
Off-Grid Tire Home #3
More About This Project
Project details on our third off grid home built with a tire retaining wall in San Marcos, Guatemala.
41
Off Campus
Hero School Campus
Retaining Walls
Mirador Retaining Wall
More About This Project
This is a brief compilation of photos from building the Mirador retaining wall in 2013.
42
Off Campus
Hero School Campus
Retaining Walls
Patzaj Tire Retaining Wall
More About This Project
Renders and photos of our Patzaj Tire Retaining Wall in Chimaltenango
43
Off Campus
Hero School Campus
Buildings
Off-Grid Tire Home #4
More About This Project
Off grid home #4 was made of tires, eco bricks, glass bottles and cob in South Africa.
45
Off Campus
Hero School Campus
Retaining Walls
Venezuela Retaining Wall and Dormitories
More About This Project
Photos, renders, and raw blueprints for the tire retaining wall and dormitories built in Venezuela.
46
Off Campus
Hero School Campus
Buildings
Off-Grid Tire Home #5
More About This Project
We built this off grid tire home near San Juan, Lago Atitlan in 2015.
47
Off Campus
Hero School Campus
Off-Grid Tire Home #9
More About This Project
In 2018 we transformed tires, adobe, bamboo and more into this off-grid home.
47
Off Campus
Hero School Campus
Off-Grid Tire Home #10
More About This Project
In 2019 we transformed tires, adobe, bamboo and more into this 2-story off-grid home.
47
Off Campus
Hero School Campus
Retaining Walls
Xiquin Sanaii Tire Retaining Wall
More About This Project
Included are photos from our tire retention wall build in Xiquin Sanii with support of about 30 individuals.
48
Off Campus
Hero School Campus
Retaining Walls
Quiche Tire Retaining Wall
More About This Project
A compilation of photos from the tire retaining wall in Quiche
50
Off Campus
Hero School Campus
Retaining Walls
Santa Eulalia Tire Retaining Wall
More About This Project
Project details for tire retaining wall in Santa Eulalia
54
Off Campus
Hero School Campus
Stoves
Improved Stove #1
More About This Project
We built this stove for a local family that was cooking over an open flame indoors.
68
Off Campus
Hero School Campus
Stoves
Cob Oven 2
More About This Project
Built in November 2017 during a workshop offered by Hero School, the oven is build from rammed tires, cob, and glass bottles.
70
Off Campus
Hero School Campus
Red Brick Oven - NY
More About This Project
This is a compilation of photos from a brick oven project we supported in New York.
73
Student Led
Hero School Campus
Stoves
2023 Stove Project #1
More About This Project
In 2023 the Hero School students and teachers combined theory and practice to implement a new stove for a family in need.
74
Student Led
Hero School Campus
Stoves
2023 Stove Project #2
More About This Project
In 2023 the Hero School 6th grade students applied science, math, and art to implement a new stove for a family in need.
75
Student Led
Hero School Campus
Stoves
2023 Stove Project #3
More About This Project
In 2023 the Hero School 6th grade students applied science, math, and art to implement a new stove for a family in need.
76
Student Led
Hero School Campus
Stoves
2023 Stove Project #4
More About This Project
In 2023 the Hero School 7th grade students mobilized their talents to implement a new stove for a family in need.
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Student Led
Hero School Campus
Water Collection
2023 Water Tank Project #1
More About This Project
In 2023 the Hero School 8th grade students launched into humanitarian action to implement a new cistern for a family in need.
78
Student Led
Hero School Campus
Stoves
2023 Stove Project #5
More About This Project
In 2023 the Hero School 7th grade students teamed up with their teachers to implement a new stove for a family in need.
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Student Led
Hero School Campus
2023 Dry Compost Latrine Project
More About This Project
In 2023 the Hero School 9th & 11th grade students used trash bottles to construct a new latrine for a family in need.
80
Student Led
Hero School Campus
Water Collection
2023 Water Tank Project #2
More About This Project
In 2023 the Hero School 6th grade students applied science, math, and art to implement a new water tank for a family in need.
81
Student Led
Hero School Campus
Retaining Walls
2023 Tire Retaining Wall Project
More About This Project
In 2023 the Hero School 10th grade students used old tires to construct a retaining wall for a family in need.
82
Student Led
Hero School Campus
Stoves
2024 Stove Project #1
More About This Project
In 2024 the Hero School 6th grade students and teachers built a new stove for a family in need.
83
Student Led
Hero School Campus
Stoves
2024 Stove Project #2
More About This Project
In 2024 the Hero School 7th grade students and teachers built a new stove for a family in need.
84
Student Led
Hero School Campus
Stoves
2024 Stove Project #3
More About This Project
In 2024 the Hero School 6th grade students and teachers built a new stove for a family in need.
85
Student Led
Hero School Campus
Stoves
2024 Stove Project #4
More About This Project
In 2024 the Hero School 7th grade students and teachers built a new stove for a family in need.
86
Student Led
Hero School Campus
Stoves
2024 Stove Project #5
More About This Project
In 2024 the Hero School 7th grade students and teachers built a new stove for a family in need.
87
Student Led
Hero School Campus
Stoves
2024 Stove Project #6
More About This Project
In 2024 the Hero School 7th grade students and teachers built a new stove for a family in need.
88
Student Led
Hero School Campus
Water Collection
2024 Water Tank Project #1
More About This Project
In 2024 the Hero School 7th grade students and teachers built a new water tank for a family in need.
88
Student Led
Hero School Campus
Water Collection
2024 Water Tank Project #2
More About This Project
In 2024 the Hero School 8th grade students and teachers built a new water tank for a family in need.
89
Student Led
Hero School Campus
2024 Dry Compost Latrine Project
More About This Project
In 2024 the Hero School 10th and 11th grade students and teachers built a new dry compost latrine for a family in need.
90
Student Led
Hero School Campus
Retaining Walls
2024 Retaining Wall Project
More About This Project
In 2024 we built a retaining wall on the way to the school.
92
student led
2016
Stoves
2016 Stove Project
More About This Project
Our first attempt at building a stove was conducted by the Hero School 7th graders. This experiment paved the way for many more to come.
65.01
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student led
2017
Stoves
2017 Stove Project
More About This Project
Our 7th grade students built this stove for a family in their community, further refining its design and innovating its execution.
65.02
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student led
2017
Water Collection
2017 Water Tank Project  
More About This Project
Our first student led cistern project was implemented by the Hero School 8th graders, with a budget of roughly $250.
65.03
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concepts
Buildings
Double Barrel Vaults Tire House With Patio
More About This Project
Double-barrel house built with tires, earth and recycled materials.
65.03
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student led
2018
Community Survey Xiquin Sanaii
More About This Project
Our middlle and high school students surveyed each home to find out how to improve living conditions for those who need it most.
65.04
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student led
2018
Stoves
2018 Stove Project #1
More About This Project
This rendition of our improved stove design built by our 7th, 8th and 9th graders features a tile stovetop.
65.05
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student led
2018
Stoves
2018 Stove Project #2
More About This Project
The Hero School 7th graders built this stove for one of their own families, putting the skills taught to them in math and art classes into action.
65.06
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student led
2018
Stoves
2018 Stove Project #3- #40
More About This Project
This profile documents the construction of 36 improved stoves in Xiquin Sanaii implemeted by our 6th-9th graders.
65.07
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student led
2018
Water Collection
2018 Water Tank Project
More About This Project
Made for a grateful family in our community, this was our second execution of a 4000 liter cistern by the 8th grade.
65.08
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student led
2018
Waste Management
2018 Dry Compost Latrine Project
More About This Project
Our first 9th grade led latrine experiment, the bamboo framed bathroom sits on the composting receptacle.
65.09
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student led
2018
Retaining Walls
2018 Retaining Wall Project
More About This Project
Our first tenth grade retaining wall experiment, this wall holds back a cliff above a families house.
65.10
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student led
2019
Stoves
2019 Stove Project
More About This Project
The culminating project for our 7th grade, this stove was made for a grateful family in San Juan Comalapa.
65.11
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student led
2019
Water Collection
2019 Water Tank Projects #1 - #21
More About This Project
Hero School middle and high school students worked with volunteers to construct 21 water tanks for families in Xiquin Sanaii.
65.12
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student led
2019
Water Collection
2019 Water Tank Project #22
More About This Project
Our 8th grade constructed this cistern for a low income family. This construction was made possible by donations.
65.13
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student led
2019
Waste Management
2019 Dry Compost Latrine Project #1
More About This Project
Our 9th grades final project, with this composting latrine we experimented with a tire base instead of blocks.
65.14
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student led
2019
Waste Management
2019 Dry Compost Latrine Project #2
More About This Project
With this composting latrine, the 11th grade students experimented with digging the receptacle down into the ground..
65.15
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student led
2019
Waste Management
2019 Dry Compost Latrine #3
More About This Project
Our 10th graders turned this building into a work of art by integrating bottles, bamboo, and adobe into the walls.
65.16
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student led
2019
Retaining Walls
2019 Retaining Wall Project
More About This Project
Our 2nd 10th grade retaining wall experiment, this wall used 400 tires and was 10 meters long.
65.17
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concepts
Buildings
Tire House With Tin Roof
More About This Project
One-barrel house built from tires, earth and recycled materials.
67.01
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concepts
Buildings
Single Barrel Vault Tire House With Loft
More About This Project
One-barrel house built with tires, earth and recycled materials.
67.02
No items found.
concepts
Buildings
Triple Barrel Vault Tire House With Patio
More About This Project
Triple barrel house built with tires, earth and recycled materials.
67.04
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concepts
Buildings
Triple Barrel Vault Tire House With Rear Entrance
More About This Project
Three-barrel house with entrance covered with metal sheets.
67.05
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concepts
Buildings
Triple Barrel Vault Tire House With Kitchen & Greenhouse
More About This Project
Three-barrel house with greenhouse. It is built with tires, earth and recycled materials.
67.06
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concepts
Buildings
Triple Barrel Vault Tire House With Garage
More About This Project
A sustainable house with garage that is built with tires, earth and recycled materials.
67.07
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concepts
Buildings
Triple Barrel Vault Tire House With Greenhouse
More About This Project
67.08
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concepts
Buildings
Triple Barrel Vault Tire House With Commercial Space
More About This Project
Three-barrel house with greenhouse with a commercial space and garage.
67.09
No items found.
concepts
Buildings
Efficiency Tire House
More About This Project
67.10
No items found.
concepts
Buildings
Single Earth Bag Dome
More About This Project
Concept renders for single earth bag dome
67.11
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concepts
Buildings
Dome Tire House With Bathroom
More About This Project
Dome Tire House with bathroom covered with metal sheets. It is built with tires, earth and recycled materials.
67.12
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concepts
Buildings
Dome Tire House Without Bathroom
More About This Project
Dome Tire House covered with metal sheets. It is built with tires, earth and recycled materials.
67.13
No items found.
concepts
Buildings
Rectangular Tire House
More About This Project
Details on a concept project for a rectangular tire house
67.14
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concepts
Buildings
Oval Tire House Dome
More About This Project
Concept renders for a oval dome tire house
67.15
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concepts
Buildings
Buddhist Temple
More About This Project
Material list and renders for a concept design of a Buddhist Temple
67.16
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concepts
Buildings
Large Scale Housing Units
More About This Project
Renders for a concept design of large scale housing units
67.17
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concepts
Buildings
Green Building Hotel
More About This Project
Renders for a concept design of a hotel green built into a cliff.
67.18
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concepts
Buildings
Green Building Village
More About This Project
Renders for concept design of a Green Building Village.
67.19
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