We saw houses and structures built of mud bricks in Morocco and in the Sinai desert - and this spoke to us. More than building a house, we want to build a special place for learning about the environment and about one's self. We feel strongly that to live in the desert means to be part of it - and that the desert has a special feel to it that we wish to preserve. Mud brick building is ecologically-correct. In addition, the wind and sun are used as natural energy sources to heat and cool the house.
Organic garbage is converted to compost for garden fertilization.
Walls are thick to ensure thermal insulation, and windows openings are placed logistically to heat and cool the house. Shai gathered expertise about mud brick building from books and literature. Besides the professionals working on the site, volunteers from all over the world are invited to build their own project on site. Shacharut, a desert community one hour north of Eilat in the hills, was originally started with grants from the Jewish Agency as part of the Negev Settlement Program. The 25 families who live there work in the date packing plant, horse stables, and tourist center.