The Human-Powered Washing Machine Project

In August 2008, the NGOs Prisoners Assistance Nepal and Wrench Nepal partnered to design and build a human-powered washing machine. 

The people primarily involved in the design and fabrication processes of this project were Agreni Pun Magar, Jivan Tamang, Jagat Dholi, Mario Bruzzone, and Aaron Wieler. We had additional aid from Krishna Bastakoti. The sponsoring organizations were Prisoners Assistance Nepal and Wrench Nepal. The people primarily involved in the project management processes were Mario Bruzzone, Aaron Wieler, and Indira Rana Magar.

This document discusses several of the processes, technical and social, involved in the Wrench Nepal/Prisoners Assistance Nepal Washing Machine Design and Fabrication Project. We attempt to present our processes in this project and to provide analysis and critique where appropriate. Furthermore, the technical sections of this document should be read in context of the project’s specific location and design, and in context of its social process.

We hope that both our mistakes and successes can inform future projects and the study of cross-cultural design-build projects. 

Download the full document here.