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Indonesia man building houses made of soil and bamboo

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Iman Baruna in West Java, Indonesia
February 25, 2026

Builder Misbah Dwiyanto learned his trade in Austria and Thailand before bringing it to Indonesia to build his own family home from soil and bamboo — and help others do the same.

Earthen houses are not only cheaper to build, but also more sustainable, easier to keep warm or cool and can be made earthquake-resistant, Misbah Dwiyanto told DW.

Dwiyanto used his experiences abroad and the knowledge he gained by building his own home to start a small business in Cimahi, a city in West Java, Indonesia, offering building services and workshops.

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