Shortly after the earthquake a group of architects, engineers, and translators began work on translating and adapting a book developed in Peru on the construction of houses in earthquake zones. “Construction and Maintenance of Masonry Houses,” edited by Marcial Blondet, was originally written in Spanish. As part of the translation process, changes were made to represent concrete block construction which is more typical of Haiti.

The Construction and Maintenance of Masonry Buildings in Haiti has been prepared as a collaboration between AIDG (Appropriate Infrastructure Development Group), Architects Without Borders - Oregon (AWB) and HaitiRewired, who came together in response to the earthquake in Haiti to help with the reconstruction efforts.

The revised manual has now gone through 3 rounds of field testing and is ready for general distribution. The new book is available in English and Creole as well as a French translation of the original book and English and Spanish translations of the original are available as well.