Village Award

(Building Design + Construction) The New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology (NMT) saved three months and at least $300,000 building a replica of an Afghan village and marketplace for anti-terrorism training in Playas, N.M. READ MORE

earth block village


Yurt Camps

Yurts are one of the oldest nomad living structures, dating back thousands of years and still viable today. They are circular yurtsstructures which can be put up or taken down quickly and regularly as dwellers move from place to place.


A World 7,000 Miles Away, Right Here

In the past year, six Other Than American (OTA) venues have been completed, four pressed earth block, which can represent any of the structures used for shelter in one-third of the world, and two nomadic encampments.

 

The marketplace, located within the town site, contains storefront spaces and encompasses eighteen houses (114 rooms) in two miles of walled compounds. It can accommodate about 100 people. The large village, able to house 200 people, is located four miles away in mountainous terrain that closely resembles parts of Afghanistan. It consists of 120 rooms within a mile of walls. Two smaller earth block venues represent family settlements of about 30 people, containing 17 rooms and 1000 feet of wall. Two yurt camps depict nomad camps of up to 30 inhabitants each.

 

Immersion in the experience


map of venuesMap of Venues

Time in Playas -
Village scene Afghan women marketplace village street Afghan men Afghan womean in house Afghan man on roof village room chickens goats Afghan men with ball market street market street market street market street market street market street market street market street market street market street market street market street market street market street market street market street market street market street market street market street market street market street market street market street market street market street small village mountain village market street market street

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Links and News

Earth Block Village Award (Building Design and Construction Magazine 2011)

Afghanistan & Yurts (Around the Yurt)

Places Yurts are Found (Simply Differently)


"It is now life and not art that requires the willing suspension of disbelief." -Lionel Trilling