We seek to build sustainable communities. In this vein, our buildings are designed to be energy efficient and culturally adaptable. Each SOS family lives in its own house, which the family can organize and outfit according to needs and as they wish. There are now also SOS Children's Villages that are located within housing areas in the city, such as in Austria, Germany, France, Morocco and the USA. These urban villages mimic architecture of the city: townhouses, apartment buildings, etc. 

Every SOS Children’s Village is designed with a special focus on local architectural styles. The villages are designed to be an integrated community with ties to the areas beyond the village itself.  Being architecturally designed as a part of this greater community enables the villages to further this goal. Our houses and facilities are designed to be sturdy and durable while also being economical. We use local materials and local building crews, with the end goal of constructing a truly enduring village. This philosophy of sustainability and durability reduces major repairs and updates that would arise later, from less durable construction.

An SOS household operates as an average home operates. Each SOS Mother is responsible for the management of her own home which includes cooking, cleaning, laundry, entertaining guests, arranging activities and outings for the children and herself, budgeting and so forth. She strives to make her home self-sufficient. The home is situated in the greater local community and thus it is run in a way that recognizes its rootedness in the environment. SOS Mothers are encouraged to use water and electricity economically.

Constructing a house (Photo in SOS archives)

The home is where the family socializes and bonds, and thusly it is a warm and inviting place for all its inhabitants. SOS Mothers are taught the value of routine (especially with children who have had, in some cases, traumatic and unstable upbringings prior to arriving at the village). Each child is given chores that are appropriate for their age and developmental level. Because each child has a hand in the running of the household, it is a source of pride and offers the children a sense of belonging. It is the objective of the SOS Children’s Villages staff that, with gentle encouragement and lots of love from the SOS Mothers, these simple houses grow to become long-lasting homes.