On 15 January 2018, Practical Action published the book "How to build safer houses with confined masonry - A guide for masons" with the longstanding experience of the SHA members Tom Schacher, Nadia Carlevaro and Guillaume Roux-Fouillet.

This SDC-financed guide focuses on ‘confined masonry’, a construction system consisting of masonry walls (built first) and horizontal and vertical reinforced concrete elements (poured in subsequently) that confine the masonry wall panels on all four sides. This method has been developed by practitioners rather than engineers and responds well to the technical and financial capacities of self-builders.

This easy-to-read pocket guide combines detailed illustrations and images with clear instructions to address construction issues. The guide acts as an ideal companion for masons, construction workers, contractors, technicians, architects and students of architecture and civil engineering completing practical training on building sites. ‘This unique guide illustrates construction of low-rise confined masonry buildings in a simple and user-friendly manner, and is expected to be an invaluable resource for house owners and builders of confined masonry houses in earthquake prone regions of the world.’