Native Lens: Navajo Hybrid Healing Hogan

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Tohdenasshai Shelter Homes & Nááts'íilid Initiative partnered to construct a low-cost, builder friendly hybrid Octagon Hogan that utilizes sustainable building practices that blends conventional building materials and traditional local earthen materials. This hogan also uses solar energy.
The structure was built using Nááts'íilid Initiative’s Sweat Equity Home Project (SEHP) approach to strengthen Diné knowledge by offering a series of free workshops that allows community members of all ages to learn through hands-on experiences.
Tohdenasshai Shelter Homes & Nááts'íilid Initiative are nonprofit organizations serving the well being of the Diné Nation:
Tohdenasshai Shelter Home’s purpose is to maintain a shelter home to victims of domestic violence, to provide counseling, education & referral services, and to oppose abuse and violence to promote harmonious and healthy family relationships in the Diné reservation community.
Nááts'íilid Initiative is an Indigenous-led and coalition-driven Community Development Collaborative (CDC). We envision integrating Diné teachings and building practices and fostering interpersonal connections between the homeowner and the home. We regard housing construction as synonymous with perpetuating a culturally resilient and healthy Navajo Community.
Hoosh’ii’ and ‘íí∤ah: Revitalizing Diné PlaceKnowing and PlaceMaking envisions integrating Nihok’aa Diyin Dine’é (Navajo) teachings and building practices as well as fostering interpersonal connections between the place and the place makers. These collective ideas are fundamental to our cooperative approach to community development and participatory design. We cultivate reciprocity and connection with the land and build community power through Nihok’aa Diyin Dine’é knowledge systems and building skills already available in the community.
Activities of the Project involve:
Light Straw Clay Infill Wall: light straw clay, also known as slip straw, is healthy and simple material for filling interior and exterior walls.
Interior Earthen Clay Plaster: clay or earth plasters are blends of unfired clays mixed with fine sand and fiber to provide natural breathable finish for internal walls.
Sheep Wool Insulation: sheep wool insulation is a natural wool fiber that improves thermal efficiency, indoor air quality, moisture management and sound absorption.
Bamboo Ceiling Finish: bamboo is a sustainable, beautiful cost effective ceiling finish alternative.
Solar PV System: solar energy is a renewable energy source that over time will increase energy independence and reduce carbon footprint.
The best part of this project is the clay and sheep wool local resources to our Diné people.
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What a beautiful community project!