Ravaged by years of civil war and infighting over the illicit narcotics trade, Colombia has a serious poverty problem. According to statistics published in 2014, some 23 million Colombians live in poverty, and 6 million of those live below the extreme poverty line. As you can imagine, this makes it incredibly difficult for people to afford basic housing for themselves and their families. However, that might all be about to change thanks to the vision of architect Oscar Mendez.
Learn more about his vision in the next video: The architect was inspired to develop bricks processed from various types of used plastics that can be used in the construction of low-cost housing. In fact, many thousands of Colombians have already started to benefit from the initiative, having their own houses built in the suburbs of major Colombian cities using the innovative bricks. Not only do they have the ability to be used in the construction of low-cost housing, these bricks are also contributing to a reduction in the amount of waste material that would have otherwise been thrown away. Mendez’s company, Conceptos Plasticos, was founded in 2010, and uses an industrial process called extrusion to create its special plastic bricks. They consist of using multi-layered plastics and rubber to ensure the high-quality and highly-durable construction materials. Here's what goes into creating the revolutionary bricks: The bricks can be used by a team of four people to build a 40-square-meter house in a mere five days. By 2018, Mendez and Conceptos Plasticos intend to increase their construction capacity to be able to build 600 houses each year, providing shelter for 3,000 families annually. Seeing as he has already set the ball rolling to help the impoverished people of Colombia, Mendez is eagerly looking beyond his country’s borders to see how he can help reduce the housing deficit in Latin America and beyond. “40% of people in Africa, Asia and Latin America do not own a home, and one in seven people in the world live in extreme poverty. We want to improve this situation by offering this form of housing," he said. This incredible vision for reducing environmental damage, in combination with providing housing for those who need it most, has resulted in Mendez receiving the 2015/2016 Unilever Sustainable Living Young Entrepreneur Award: |
The Future is in Our Hands - Next Generation Technology
These young brilliant minds grind hard at finding and creating solution to waste recycling, and the results are promising.
Your Home Decor Could be Physically Stressing You Out
These home interior decorating tips will create a calming space in your home.
News That Inspires: Positive Stories From Around the World
There are so many good things happening in the world. Here’s a look at some of the most inspiring news updates to brighten your day.
This Technology Could Consign Counterfeiting to History
Counterfeiting could end forever with the widespread implementation of this fascinating technology. Read on to find out more about atomic fingerprinting.
The Internet's Best Resources of Free e-Books
What's better than books? Free books. Here is our list of the internet's best resources for free e-books.
What's so Exciting About James Webb Space Telescope?
Why the new James Webb space telescope is much, much better than Hubble.
This Is Why Skyscrapers Are So Rare in European Cities
High rise buildings are not very common in Europe, and history has everything to do with it...
Nostalgia: The Unforgettable Commercials of the 60s & 70s!
These classic television commercials from the 60s and 70s are a must watch!
Who Were the Old West's Most Infamous Lawmen? Find Out.
The Wild West, or Old West, would have been completely lawless if it wasn't for lawmen like these. Her are 10 of the American Frontier's most infamous lawmen.
10 Difficult Words in English Everyone Should Know
English has many difficult words with meanings that are nearly impossible to guess, which makes them super tough to remember. Here are 10 such words
7 Downsides to Being Highly Intelligent
Everyone thinks that being blessed with a very high IQ can only be positive, but there are also downsides. Here are 7 downsides to being highly intelligent.
6 Amazing Sea Survival Stories That'll Blow You Away!
Tales of surviving against all odds at sea has fascinated man for centuries. Here are 6 such incredible tales.
How We Came to Play: The Origins of Playground Games
The fun games we played in our childhood had some interesting origins.
God Thought Long & Hard Before Creating the Dog...
They do say dogs are our best friend, and there is a reason for that.
These 6 Mysterious Objects Can't Be Explained by Anyone
Archaeology is a very rewarding discipline, but there are some mysteries that never get solved. Take these 6 ancient objects. What they are is anyone's guess!
The True Scale of These Things Will Really Surprise You!
Did you know that there are actually a lot of things in our world that are far bigger in reality than most people would expect. Here of 20 of them.
12 Rules for Basic Etiquette that Should Still be Practiced
It feels like people forgot the meaning of politeness, well these 12 rules of manners should be read, remembered and acted upon.
It’s a Shame We Stopped Using These 17 Old English Words
These 17 old words are definitely missing in our modern vocabularies and deserve to be brought back into day-to-day speech
You Won't Believe What This Man Built in His Back Yard...
This man has created something amazing at his home that has immediately become my dream.
12 Beautiful Quotes that'll Make You Smile and Grin
If you want a smile, you've reached the right place...
The Truth About June. Touching and Wonderful.
A beautiful story about a mother's love, which I warmly recommend.
Take a 4K, Vivid Walk Through the Streets of 1911 New York
Watching this 110 year old restored video if New York actually feels like a glimpse to a time long gone.
You Will Love This Collection of Rare Historical Photos
This amazing collection of vintage photographs will give you a unique glimpse of the past.
10 Underrated Movies That Should be Seen by More People
Imploring all cinema buffs to check out these criminally underrated movies!
These Fascinating Cat Facts Are Well Worth Sharing
You're definitely not a cat lover unless you know these 10 awesome facts about them!
I Just Wanted to Let You Know: I'm Thinking of You
Is there anyone in your life whom you're thinking of deeply right now? Send them a little greeting to let them know.
Travel Back in Time With These Rare Moments From History...
Some photos date as far back as to the early 20th Century, with a few prototype designs that would eventually pave the way for the technology we use today. Take a stroll down memory lane with these Rare moments.
Learn How to Perform These Famous Magic Tricks at Home!
Magic tricks aren't always as tricky as they seem. In fact, you can learn how to perform some of the famous ones at home...
The Chilling Story of Hungary’s Murderous Blood Countess
Elizabeth Bathory is one of the most feared names in Hungary, with a sadistic streak to rival that of Vlad the Impaler's.
Phrases We Use Without Realizing It’s a Shakespeare Quote
William Shakespeare had a huge impact on modern English, so much so that most of us are quoting the great bard every day without even realizing it!
These Victorian Era Facts Are Instantly Fascinating
An era of 74 Years in English history, the Victorian era is one of the most interesting periods in history.
10 Incredible People You Never Heard Of!
Here are 10 people who have, in their own ways, saved countless lives and at times, the entire planet. They deserve to be known.
These Specialized Tools Have the Most Unique Uses
These specialized tools have the most unusual uses.
18 Unlikely But True Facts That Will Get You Thinking
The saying truth is stranger than fiction is all too true when you read these incredible facts. #2 had me grabbing for my calculator.
These 24 Fascinating Photographs Will Surprise & Amaze You
Here are 24 of the most amazing and surprising photographs ever seen on the internet!
How Clean Are Hotel Rooms, Really? Find Out the Answer!
Hotel rooms always look clean and fresh, but are they?
Buried by Time: 10 Little-Known Moments in History
These historical events might not be well-known, but they sure are super interesting.
A Massive Gorrila, But Watch Her With Kittens...
This video is amazing, I never knew gorillas could be like this.
These Photos Clearly Indicate You're Never Too Old to Love
You're never too old to love or show love, and these pictures are a clear indication of that. Here are 15 photos that show you never have to stop having fun.
The Story of the Roman Atlantis: The Ancient City of Baiae
In this article, we will explore what life was like in Baiae, why the city sank, and its rediscovery by explorers.
The Most Insightful Quotes From the Mind of Albert Einstein
Allow me to share some of the insightful quotes that came out of Albert Einstein's head
11 of the Most Insanely Useful Websites on the Web
Believe it or not, there are tons of sites that offer useful free stuff. Here’s a look at a few of them.
These Female Celebs Have Aged Like Fine Wine (28 Pics)
These female celebrities are aging just like fine wine.
18 of the Most Incredibly-Timed Photos You'll Ever See
These photos will leave you in awe of their timing. The visual impact they have is staggering. Take a look at these 18 images.
These Unique Maps Tell a Great Deal...
These 19 maps of the world are anything but boring. Each map is compelling and teaches you something new about the world.
Untamed Spirits: Tales of Legendary Mountain Men!
Not many know about these iconic men of the mountains.
These Maps Are Guaranteed to Teach You About the USA
The USA becomes all the more fascinating when you collate a ton of different maps containing insightful demographic data. Take a look at this map compilation.