Iranian-born Nader Khalili, architect, educator, and author, passed away at the age of 71 on Wednesday, March 5th. Khalili was known for his innovation into the Geltaftan Earth-and-Fire System known as Ceramic Houses and the Earthbag Construction technique called Super Adobe. He had been involved with Earth Architecture and Third World Development since 1975, and was a U.N. consultant for Earth Architecture.

 
Nader Khalili, photo from LA Yoga magazine


Images courtesy of CalEarth.org

A letter from CalEarth, a non-profit organization founded by Khalili, announcing his passing:

Dearest members of Cal-Earth Forum,
I am bringing you the heartbreaking news that architect Nader Khalili died on Wednesday at 1:30 am holding the hand of his son, Dastan and myself and with the kisses of his daughter, Sheefteh, and those of his brothers still fresh on his cheeks. He left his body, and he left us behind to mourn his passing, to miss him, and to follow his passionate last instructions to every apprentice to carry on his work and keep alive his vision. The flames that ignited him in life and the quest that brought each of you to Cal-Earth to learn from him have touched all of us and led us on this path....the right path....... for arts, humanity and the environment. His work and words have inspired us and his spirit is powerfully alive in every work and word, building and echo that your enthustiastic and loving hands have helped to create for this world.

He soul imbues every grain of sand and every memory contained in Cal-Earth, which expresses so much of his personal life of the last 17 years. And your works, like seeds have been growing and flourishing in every corner of the world, carried on the water of humility that is so irresistible and nourishing....

khak shavam, khak shavam, ta ze to sar sabz shavam,
ab shavam, sajdekonan, ta be golestan beresam....

We will hold a pre-burial vigil at Cal-Earth for those nearby on Sunday during the day, also to comfort eachother....Cal-Earth is open any time for those who want to come and meditate. Candles have been kept alight in the Rumi dome since the time of his death.

His body will be buried in the coming week on Tuesday or Wednesday with Islamic rites in Oak Park cemetery in the City of Claremont in the bosom of his family and much of their history in America. This is about 35-40 mins. drive from Cal-Earth. There will be a public ceremony beforehand in one of the university gardens to honor his gift to humanity, with a ritual that reflects Nader's love of simplicity, the arts, and with the dignity and nobility that he deserves.

Cal-Earth will hold a public memorial day to celebrate his life some weeks after that.

In these days please pray for his soul's safe passage to the next life and support eachother with love and kindness. Every day, every painful step for me without him is like walking on glass, but we must believe that there is a purpose to all things, and as he always said: When one door closes in the universe, another one is also opening. He is able to travel and be with each of you now.

With love,
Iliona
and all at Cal-Earth Institute

Message from Architect Eric Owen Moss (March 11, 2008)

To the family and friends of Nader Khalili....
Nader was a remarkable man -- principled, courageous, independent.
He had a vision. He pursued it. 
His life was an exception, and an exceptional lesson for the students, faculty, and staff at Sci Arc.
We are grateful and appreciative for his time with us, for his conviction, and his uniquely principled life.

"Between two points
in time
is space.
Excavate
The points --
Greet 
the 
unfathomother."

Moss Herbert