Human Relations Area Files, Inc. (HRAF) is an internationally recognized organization in the field of cultural anthropology. Founded in 1949 at Yale University, HRAF is a not-for-profit membership consortium of universities, colleges, and research institutions. Its mission is to provide information that facilitates the cross-cultural study of human behavior, society and culture.

The HRAF website provides anthropological records that include building types, materials, etc indigenous to almost any part of the world.  We suggest their use when trying to determine what cool products/materials would be most appropriate in your area.