We aim to change living
conditions of vulnerable
communities from inside.

Innovative & sustainable
Twistblock construction

Produced and applied
by the local residents.

Who we are – what we do

From architectural planning to construction and factory planning

Sustainable improvement of living conditions in the slums of this world with our TwistBlocks building system.

Start Somewhere is a non-profit GmbH from Munich with eleven years of experience in development cooperation in informal settlements. Specifically, we have developed TwistBlocks, a flexible, reusable, cost-effective and fire-safe construction system for buildings in slums.

More about us
How do I become a partner?

Our Services

We are the TwistBlock experts – From architectural design to construction and factory planning.
Building system

With Twistblocks, you build homes for life with fewer resources, more cost-effectively.

Planning, visualization and construction

Project planning, architectural design of TwistBlock buildings, project and construction management

TwistBlock Factory

You want to start your own business and sell TwistBlocks?
We will support you in this.

This is TwistBlocks

Fast and easy construction with lower costs: Certified by Kenya Bureau of Standards
AFFORDABLE LIVING SPACE: Fewer building materials and a shorter construction time mean lower construction costs.
DECONSTRUCTABLE & REUSABLE: 80% of the blocks can easily be dismanted and reused.
MORTAR-FREE WALLS: Thanks to the interlocking block design, no mortar is required to join the layers, making TwistBlock up to 10 times faster to install than traditional bricks.
IMPROVING LIVES: Twistblocks are made by local people in the informal settlement of Kibera in Nairobi. Opening a factory in your neighborhood can also improve the livelihoods of people in your community.
FLEXIBLE FLOOR PLANS: Wall segments can be infinitely folded to maximize available space, which is especially important in irregular site conditions such as informal settlements.
FIRE SAFETY: Cement blocks are naturally fire resistant and provide additional protection in densely populated areas that are prone to fires.
Learn more

We have aroused your interest?
We are looking forward to your message!

Contact us

Latest News

News from the world of Start Somewhere
News
25. July 2022

The reconstruction of the Bethany Joy school is well underway!

The reconstruction of Bethany Joy school is well underway! The formwork has just been laid and the first floor slab will soon be cast. The school comprises of 18 classrooms,…
Start Somewhere gemeinnuetzige GmbH
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News
11. May 2022

Start of construction: Bethany Joy School in Kawangware

In 2020, we constructed a building with our construction system for the first time: the Oloo's Children Centre in the Kibera slum in Nairobi. Two weeks ago, we broke ground…
Start Somewhere gemeinnuetzige GmbH
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News
2. May 2022

Donated prize money from Atlassian Tower Design Team

A great thing: The Atlassian Tower Design Team, which won this year's Holcim Bronze Award, donated the prize money to Start Somewhere. In this context, Oliver von Malm was invited…
Start Somewhere gemeinnuetzige GmbH
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