BASEhabitat BA:CAN, Research and design work in bamboo construction, Ecuador and Colombia by BASEhabitat

U1 = 105 mm

BASEhabitat is a project studio within the Department of Architecture at the University of Art and Design Linz. Professor Roland Gnaiger founded BASEhabitat together with students in 2004. It has since implemented numerous projects in the field of humanitarian architecture worldwide. Approaches based around sufficiency and the maxim of “helping people to help themselves” are based on the following: social and cultural integration, environmentally friendly construction, the use of local resources, and the aesthetic demands of the architectural design as requirements for sustainable and self-determined development. In addition to construction projects on the ground, workshops are regularly held on working with loam and bamboo as construction materials. There is also a summer school that takes place every two years with active, international participation. BASEhabitat has been a member of the UNESCO Chair Earthen Architecture since 2014. To live up to the increasing worldwide interest in BASEhabitat’s work and the need for projects in the area of humanitarian architecture, the University of Art and Design Linz has decided to establish a postgraduate BASEhabitat master’s degree.

ISBN 978-3-901112-82-9

Rückenstärke 7 mm –>

BASEhabitat ba:can Ecuador and Colombia

148 mm

U4 = 105 mm

BASEhabitat ba:can Research and design work in bamboo construction Ecuador and Colombia

BASEhhabitat bacan | A6 | Umschlag 4/4-CMYK | 100#er | RZ am 6. Februar 2018

“Work on philosophy — like work in architecture in many respects — is really more work on oneself. On one’s own conception. On how one sees things.” Ludwig Wittgenstein, Austrian-British philosopher

BASEhabitat BA:can Research and Design Work in Bamboo Construction Ecuador and Colombia

Kunstuniversität Linz University of Art and Design Linz die architektur

BASEhabitat BA:can Research and Design Work in Bamboo Construction Ecuador and Colombia

Kunstuniversität Linz University of Art and Design Linz die architektur

BASEhabitat Network Map

ecuador

ba:can current project enquiries realized projects participating students research

BASEhabitat Network Map

ecuador

ba:can current project enquiries realized projects participating students research

Preface

ba:can Research and Design Work in Bamboo Construction

Republic of Ecuador 2015

Fieldtrip Bamboo Research in Ecuador and Colombia

Building Survey Documentation of Traditional Ecuadorian Bamboo Houses

Haciendas Urbanas Andrea Hilmbauer

Pueblos Calleros Sophie Schrattenecker

Stakeholders

basehabitat International Summer School on Earthen and Bamboo Construction

Bibliography

Imprint

Preface

ba:can Research and Design Work in Bamboo Construction

Republic of Ecuador 2015

Fieldtrip Bamboo Research in Ecuador and Colombia

Building Survey Documentation of Traditional Ecuadorian Bamboo Houses

Haciendas Urbanas Andrea Hilmbauer

Pueblos Calleros Sophie Schrattenecker

Stakeholders

basehabitat International Summer School on Earthen and Bamboo Construction

Bibliography

Imprint

BASEhabitat has been cooperating with various NGOs since 2004 to realize construction projects. In recent years numerous remarkable research and construction projects have emerged from basehabitat and the students’ enthusiasm and engagement. Nowadays we can build houses where the indoor climate can be controlled without using any external power, houses that use the local resources instead of destroying them, houses that improve the environment and provide people with new opportunities and employment. This can be done without restrictions, sacrifices, or additional responsibility. It just needs more intelligence, teamwork, passion, joy and beauty. In theses matters there is no difference between the “rich North” and the “poor South” of the world. BASEhabitat is a testing place for operating in this field.

young bamboo cane with skin

BA:can Research and Design Work in Bamboo Construction Ecuador and Colombia The research and design work for ba:can — Bamboo Construction on the Ecuadorian Coast — was made up of two phases. The first phase was three months of basic research in Colombia and Ecuador from March until July 2013, including measuring sixteen bamboo houses on the Ecuadorian coast. The second phase from October 2013 until January 2014 involved reworking the information that was documented during the trip and incorporating this information into two detailed architectural designs. casas urbanas deals with an example for increasing the density of the coastal town San Vicente. pueblos calleros looks for a solution to the problem of safe living spaces in ribbon-built villages along large arterial highways.

a traditional finca (farm) from the area of Pedro Carbo

Republic of Ecuador

Capital Quito Border countries Colombia, Peru Population 15.86 million Age structure < 15 years 27.9 % 15–64 years 65.1 % > 64 years 7.0 % Population growth rate 1.35 %

house in San Vicente, Ecuador

Population density 55/km2 Official languages Spanish, Quechua Literacy 94.5 % (age 15 and over) HDI Human Development Index 0.732, rank 88 Median Age 27.7 years (vs. Austria 43.2 years) Average life expectancy at birth 76.56 years male 73.6 years female 79.67 years cia World Factbook, Human Development Reports undp, 2015

Republic of Ecuador

Capital Quito Border countries Colombia, Peru Population 15.86 million Age structure < 15 years 27.9 % 15–64 years 65.1 % > 64 years 7.0 % Population growth rate 1.35 %

house in San Vicente, Ecuador

Fieldtrip Bamboo Research in Ecuador and Colombia Ecuador, one of the smallest but emerging countries in Latin America, has a profound culture of bamboo construction that has developed over the last 5,000 years. This culture is suffering from neo-capitalist forces and social changes. The building methods are considered old-fashioned and are not widely accepted. They are now only used by more economically disadvantaged members of the society. There are only a few publically accessible publications about the characteristics of Ecuadorian bamboo construction, even though some individual builders and architects, such as Jorge Morán, have dedicated their lives to widening and optimising bamboo construction locally. The aim of the three-month research was to record and survey Ecuadorian bamboo housings.

rice farm in Las Maravillas, Ecuador

“Bambú para los pobres y para los turistas.” “Bamboo for the poor and for tourists.” Ecuadorian saying 14

rice farm in Las Maravillas, Ecuador

“Bambú para los pobres y para los turistas.” “Bamboo for the poor and for tourists.” Ecuadorian saying 14

Travel Diary

break on the road between Daule and Guayaquil, Ecuador

The research work began in the Colombian region of Valle del Cauca where the roots of bamboo construction span generations, similar to its history in Ecuador. The qualities of this rapid-growing, renewable, raw material are valued highly here. On the one hand, the static properties of bamboo are being tested to the extreme by architects such as Simón Veléz and Marcelo Villegas by using technically ingenious structures; and on the other hand bamboo is a simple building material that you can find in houses throughout the whole Ecuadorian Pacific coast. The start of our trip was therefore dedicated to researching this versatile raw substance. Questions regarding ecology and production pushed themselves to the forefront. Can you waterproof bamboo naturally? In which different ways can it be processed? Which structural details and connections can be used? To help answer these questions, in Colombia the research-team met up with professors, builders, and architects at their workplaces; visited coffee fincas and bamboo carpenters; and carefully documented what they saw and learnt.

“Cuando está chiquita – vestida. Y cuando grande – desnuda. Qué es? – La Guadua!” “When it is small it is dressed. And when it is big it is naked. What is it? – Bamboo!” Colombian riddle for children 16

Travel Diary

break on the road between Daule and Guayaquil, Ecuador

15th March 2013 in the Guadua-forest (bamboo-forest) Recinto del Pensamiento Manizales, Colombia After growing for 4–6 years, white to pink coloured fungus shaped blooms appear on the Guadua culms. At this stage the bamboo is called hecho and is ready to be harvested. Traditionally, bamboo is cut down using a machete before sunset and when the moon is waning. When doing this it is important to sever the stem just above a node to avoid rainwater collecting and causing subsequent rot or a build up of pests in the Guadua (bamboo).

bamboo cane ready to be harvested

touching the surprisingly rough protective skin of young bamboo

bamboo cane ready to be harvested

touching the surprisingly rough protective skin of young bamboo

16th March 2013 zeri Pavilion Architects Simón Vélez and Marcelo Villegas Manizales, Colombia A walk through the National Park of Manizales finally leads us to the zeri Pavilion designed by Simón Vélez and Marcelo Villegas. The structure is almost entirely built of Colombian bamboo. The building was constructed as a test version for the pavilion erected at the Expo 2000 in Hannover. Whilst the original pavilion was pulled down again after the Expo, its mockup in Manizales luckily still remains.

19th March 2013 Coffee and Bamboo Plantations, Hacienda Guayabal Caldas, Colombia Guadua saves water and puts it back into the ground when the weather is dry. Since a coffee plantation needs a lot of water, bamboo forests are not only cultivated to use as construction material and to control erosion, but also for the regulating effect on coffee plantations.

view of the central Colombian landscape

worker cutting down bamboo at the Hacienda Guayabal, Colombia

view of the central Colombian landscape

worker cutting down bamboo at the Hacienda Guayabal, Colombia

20th March 2013 At Architect Marcelo Villegas’ House Eje Cafetero, Colombia

25th March 2013 Pedestrian Bridge by Jörg Stamm Santa Fe de Antioquia, Colombia

Marcelo Villegas puffs on a cigar while he tells us about his work as architect, engineer and inventor. There is something youthful about his tanned face as he says “We are people who make something from everything but aren’t useful for anything,” with an ironic smile. Then he shows us books and photos that document his life’s work. Of course he builds using bamboo. That is why we are here. Behind his workshop sprawls a large, well-maintained Guadua. But not just bamboo: wood, bricks, glass, metal and stone. Marcelo uses a varied range of materials. “Rethinking things is my daily work,” he says calmly. He exhales and a big cloud of smoke surrounds his head.

In Santa Fe de Antioquia a motorway cuts one of the city’s residential areas in two halves. About seven years ago, when the old pedestrian bridge connecting the two parts of the settlement collapsed, the government supported a reconstruction in bamboo. “This bridge is very important for us. Without it, crossing the road would be dangerous,” we learned from one of the residents whilst visiting the site.

“Una casa necesita un buen sombrero y buenas botas.” “A house needs a good hat and good boots.” Simón Veléz

20th March 2013 At Architect Marcelo Villegas’ House Eje Cafetero, Colombia

25th March 2013 Pedestrian Bridge by Jörg Stamm Santa Fe de Antioquia, Colombia

“Una casa necesita un buen sombrero y buenas botas.” “A house needs a good hat and good boots.” Simón Veléz

28th March 2013 Centro Nacional para el Estudio del Bambu-Guadua Quindio, Colombia bamboo specialist explains the function of the rhizome (roots)

The type of bamboo native to Ecuador and Colombia is Guadua Angustifolia Kunth. It is one of the toughest but also most high tensile types of bamboo worldwide and it is ideal for construction. Culms can grow up to 25–30 meter, with an average diameter of 12 cm.

“The happier the guadua, the bigger it is.” Gip Cooper, traveller and bamboo exporter 27

28th March 2013 Centro Nacional para el Estudio del Bambu-Guadua Quindio, Colombia bamboo specialist explains the function of the rhizome (roots)

“The happier the guadua, the bigger it is.” Gip Cooper, traveller and bamboo exporter 27

29th March 2013 ‘Peaje’ (toll station) by Simón Vélez Eje Cafetero, Colombia It’s raining; that is the only reason we are allowed to stay here and sketch. Cameras everywhere. Photos are not allowed. I hope it continues to rain. We continue to sketch. It’s getting dark. The rain continues to fall.

5th – 9th of April 2013 Workshop with Prof. Jorge Morán Universidad Católica de Santiago de Guayaquil El papa del bambú (the father of bamboo) is what they fondly call Jorge here. As professor at the Catholic university in Guayaquil, he has managed to get his students interested in bamboo. The animation in his voice is catching. Between gesticulations and stories, Jorge drives. His white jeep snakes through the traffic at a walking speed while he talks about fire-retardant coatings, alternative roof coverings made of banana scraps, bamboo knots, and the weaknesses of esterillas (bamboo mats). Jorge regularly runs workshops for his students to show that even simple bamboo buildings can be long lasting. We are now also his students. Our lesson with Jorge Morán starts with a boca de pescado (fish mouth). Since the fish mouth is one of the essential knots required to join two bamboo canes — amongst much chatter and laughter — we learn to tie this knot from two pieces using a hammer and chisel. Who would have guessed that bamboo fibres are so tough and hard, and that the nodes would prove to be an almost insurmountable challenge?

“Quien no conoce a una cosa, no la puede amar.” “If you don’t know something, you cannot love it.” Jorge Morán Ubidia 28

12th of April 2013 The Bamboo Women from Río Blanco Manabí, Ecuador At the end of a bumpy trip in the jeep through tropical coastal forests, we meet Elia Loor-Chancay in her native village, Río Blanco. Elia is one of the few women who cultivate their own cañeal (bamboo forest) in Ecuador. It is scorching hot between the dense growing bamboo canes as we quickly climb the slope of her forest. Elia tells us about her work. In one month she harvests 50 to 80 cañas (bamboo canes), which are then put out to dry, before Elia sells them in the coastal towns with her sister for around 2 dollars a piece. Later we also roll a few cañas down the hill towards the street, cut ourselves on the knife-like edges of the giant grass, and are amazed at how much the canes weigh. “Actually you usually cut bamboo when the moon is waning or early in the morning when the water is down low in the stem,” Elia explains while she uses her machete to get rid of the weeds in her cañeal.

12th of April 2013 Boca de pescado | Fish mouth bamboo knots at the workshop La Noble Guadúa Olón, Ecuador

Detail D connection with bamboo plate, fixed with rope

Detail A connection with rope

Variation Detail D connection with bamboo plate, fixed with bamboo Variation Detail A connection with rope and bamboo nail

Detail E connection with threaded bars and screws

Detail B connection with rope

Detail C cross connection with rope

working on a fish mouth connection

12th of April 2013 Boca de pescado | Fish mouth bamboo knots at the workshop La Noble Guadúa Olón, Ecuador

Detail D connection with bamboo plate, fixed with rope

Detail A connection with rope

Variation Detail D connection with bamboo plate, fixed with bamboo Variation Detail A connection with rope and bamboo nail

Detail E connection with threaded bars and screws

Detail B connection with rope

Detail C cross connection with rope

working on a fish mouth connection

2nd May 2013 Conversation with Nicolás (Museo maac) about the social value of bamboo as a building material “It is a socio-cultural problem,” says Nicolás as he turns a small, stone statue in his hands. “Architecture here looks to the United States for its references. Social identity is changing.” Nicolás vocalizes what we have noticed more and more during our journey: anyone who builds a new house and can afford it uses cement, concrete blocks or bricks. Compared to bamboo these are building materials that show wealth, a feeling of cultural development and renewal.

“Aqui el bambú no cuesta nada. El cemento en cambio es muy caro. Por eso para la gente el bambú no tiene valor.” “Bamboo costs next to nothing here. In contrast, cement is very expensive. People therefore conclude that bamboo doesn’t have any value.” Nicolás Franco Moncho, Guayaquil, Museo maac 35

6th – 7th May 2013 On the building site with Enrique Alarcón Puerto Lopez, Ecuador Between 1997 and 1998 El Niños caused a lot of flooding in Puerto Lopez. By chance, a few cañas ended up in the sea. After the floodwater had subsided, Enrique used them to build a bridge in his garden and discovered that the salts in the seawater had waterproofed the canes. Since then he uses a saltwater bath to protect against insects and doesn’t use the usual borate treatment.

“Clavos y tornillos de metal son caros y hacen daño a la construcción de caña por la corrosión del metal. Por eso hago nudos de caña y cemento, cuerda y clavos de bambú.” “Nails and screws made of metal are expensive and damage the bamboo construction when they corrode. That is why I use connections made of bamboo and cement, rope, and bamboo nails.” Enrique Alarcón (builder)

15th May 2013 Traditional roofs made of paja toquilla (palm leaves) La Crucita, Ecuador Even though today most Ecuadorian roofs are covered by corrugated metal, the traditional roofing method remains visible in some bamboo houses. paja toquilla refers to the method of knotting palm leaves carefully around the rafters. This way a thick covering is produced layer by layer. It functions as a thermic as well as an accoustic insolation during hot and rainy seasons.

knotting the roof 38

Building Surveys Documentation of Traditional Ecuadorian Bamboo Houses

colombia

13 equator

5 3 16 15 14

pacific ocean

The coastal area at the centre of the building surveys, between Santa Elena and Esmeraldas, is one of the oldest settlements in the Americas. Findings show that people first settled in the area around 5000 b.c. Archaeologists suspect that Guayas and Manabí in the rockless, sandy coastal region of the province were probably already built of bamboo at that time. Due to this long tradition we focused on that area for our building surveys. During the third month of the trip, we worked as a team and step-by-step sketched, photographed and measured sixteen bamboo houses along the Ecuadorean coast. The process was structured; residents were interviewed using a questionnaire made for this purpose so that we would later be able to draw conclusions about the social conditions of the area that we were researching. 40

10 11 12 9 78 6

Quito

ecuador 1 2

1 mile

peru

The following houses are located south of the equator. With the obverse course of the sun, insolation and the weather side reverse as well. Hence, the plans are turned southwards.

Building Surveys Documentation of Traditional Ecuadorian Bamboo Houses

colombia

13 equator

5 3 16 15 14

pacific ocean

10 11 12 9 78 6

Quito

ecuador 1 2

1 mile

peru

The following houses are located south of the equator. With the obverse course of the sun, insolation and the weather side reverse as well. Hence, the plans are turned southwards.

1 Daule

2 Las Maravillas

3 Salango

4 Via Manta

5 Puerto de Cayo

Mompiche

6 Crucita

11 Don Juan

7 San Vicente 1

8 San Vicente 2

12 Jama

13 Mompiche

9 Briseño

14 Sta. Elena

10 Pedernales

15 Monteverde

16 Olón

1 Daule

2 Las Maravillas

3 Salango

4 Via Manta

5 Puerto de Cayo

Mompiche

6 Crucita

11 Don Juan

7 San Vicente 1

8 San Vicente 2

12 Jama

13 Mompiche

9 Briseño

14 Sta. Elena

10 Pedernales

15 Monteverde

16 Olón

5 Puerto de Cayo

balcony

Context Built Living space Residents

Urban 1945 122.5 m² (17.5 m² per resident) 7 (at the age of 5 to 76 years)

Deckenuntersicht OG | M 1:100 Deckenuntersicht OG | M 1:100 Deckenuntersicht OG | M 1:100 Deckenuntersicht OG | M 1:100

Grundriss OG | M 1:100 Grundriss OG | M 1:100 Grundriss OG | M 1:100 Grundriss OG | M 1:100 first floor

apartment of grandparents

apartment of neighbour

shop

Ss S S S

26 26 26

5 Puerto de Cayo

balcony

Context Built Living space Residents

Urban 1945 122.5 m² (17.5 m² per resident) 7 (at the age of 5 to 76 years)

Deckenuntersicht OG | M 1:100 Deckenuntersicht OG | M 1:100 Deckenuntersicht OG | M 1:100 Deckenuntersicht OG | M 1:100

Grundriss OG | M 1:100 Grundriss OG | M 1:100 Grundriss OG | M 1:100 Grundriss OG | M 1:100 first floor

apartment of grandparents

apartment of neighbour

shop

Ss S S S

26 26 26

Interview with the residents (excerpt) Which materials did you use to build the house? Bamboo: 600 canes (150 $), Baharreque (donkey and cow dung) and wallpaper (newspaper) Wood: frame and pillars made of Guayacán, roof made of Frutilla Concrete blocks: ground floor walls Cade palm leaves: roof covering Where does the bamboo that you used come from? From El Barro – the inlet between Montañita and Canta Gallo. How was it treated? The structure was treated with diesel and Maderol (insecticide). As residents, what do you think are the advantages and disadvantages of the house? In general the house is comfortably cool and the top floor is very spacious. It is very hot on the lower floor because concrete blocks were used. As a resident, what would you change? I would change a few things.

section

Schnitt | M 1:100

section

Schnitt | M 1:100

6 Cruzita veranda

Location Context Built Living space Residents

Cruzita Urban 2005 191.4 m² (13.7 m² per resident) 7 (parents and five kids) 7 (grandparents, aunt, uncle, cousins) Deckenuntersicht OG | M 1:100

Deckenuntersicht OG | M 1:100

Grundriss OG | M 1:100

veranda

Grundriss OG | M 1:100 Deckenuntersicht OG | M 1:100 Deckenuntersicht OG | M 1:100

first floor

Grundriss OG | M 1:100 Grundriss OG | M 1:100

outdoor living space

Deckenuntersicht EG | M 1:100 Deckenuntersicht EG | M 1:100

s S

S S

6 Cruzita veranda

Location Context Built Living space Residents

Cruzita Urban 2005 191.4 m² (13.7 m² per resident) 7 (parents and five kids) 7 (grandparents, aunt, uncle, cousins) Deckenuntersicht OG | M 1:100

Deckenuntersicht OG | M 1:100

Grundriss OG | M 1:100

veranda

Grundriss OG | M 1:100 Deckenuntersicht OG | M 1:100 Deckenuntersicht OG | M 1:100

first floor

Grundriss OG | M 1:100 Grundriss OG | M 1:100

outdoor living space

Deckenuntersicht EG | M 1:100 Deckenuntersicht EG | M 1:100

s S

S S

Interview with the residents (excerpt) Which materials did you use to build the house? Bamboo: Guadua angustifolia Kunth (robust species) Wood: Amarillo (repurposed wood from a 20 year old ruined house) Where does the bamboo that you used come from? From Calderón in the mountains. How was it treated? The house is treated every six months with Maderol and diesel: sometimes even more frequently. As residents, what do you think are the advantages and disadvantages of the house? The house is good, and it is cool because it is made of bamboo.

section

Schnitt | M 1:100

As a resident, what would you change? Nothing.

section

Schnitt | M 1:100

As a resident, what would you change? Nothing.

14 Santa Elena

“We bought the bamboo canes green and dried them on the site. They weren’t treated.” Resident Context Built Living space Residents

Suburban 2008 68.9 m² (7.6 m² per resident) 9 (from the age of 6 to 49)

Grundriss EG | M 1:100

section

outdoor living space

Grundriss EG | M 1:100

Deckenuntersicht EG | M 1:100 Grundriss EG | M 1:100

ground floor

EG ||M2 1:100 1Grundriss Wohnbereich Küche | 3 Esszimmer | 4 Schlafzimmer | 5 Nasszelle | 6 Werkstätte | 7 gedeckter Freibereich 8 Kochbereich Großeltern | 9 Hausaltar | 10 Musikanlage

14 Santa Elena

“We bought the bamboo canes green and dried them on the site. They weren’t treated.” Resident Context Built Living space Residents

Suburban 2008 68.9 m² (7.6 m² per resident) 9 (from the age of 6 to 49)

Grundriss EG | M 1:100

section

outdoor living space

Grundriss EG | M 1:100

Deckenuntersicht EG | M 1:100 Grundriss EG | M 1:100

ground floor

EG ||M2 1:100 1Grundriss Wohnbereich Küche | 3 Esszimmer | 4 Schlafzimmer | 5 Nasszelle | 6 Werkstätte | 7 gedeckter Freibereich 8 Kochbereich Großeltern | 9 Hausaltar | 10 Musikanlage

Interview with the residents (excerpt) Which materials did you use to build the house? Bamboo: Guadua angustifolia Kunth (robust species) Cement: individual deep foundations for the bamboo pillars Wood, zinc, plastic sheeting (protection against water) Where does the bamboo that you used come from? From a warehouse on the main street. How was it treated? We bought the bamboo canes green and dried them on the site. They weren’t treated. As residents, what do you think are the advantages and disadvantages of the house? A disadvantage is that when it rains the water runs up over the floor under the walls and into the house. As a resident, what would you change? We would like to have one bedroom for each child. We would like to use concrete blocks instead of bamboo to protect against the cold. It would be great if we had a larger plot of land around the house.

Haciendas Urbanas Urban Re-densification Using Modular Design Andrea Hilmbauer

The town on the Ecuadorian coast follows a strict grid of streets, cut through by a net of pedestrian paths and squares. In this mesh, a concrete or brick wall is usually used to distance the town house from the busy street. The traditional bamboo building behind this protective wall is light and considers both the climatic conditions and the needs of its inhabitants. At the moment this classical town house is undergoing significant change. Concrete blocks are usually used instead of bamboo, which often results in the space losing its climatic qualities. This building material also hides a social problem. Higher costs often result in people doing without extra living space. There is often no space for complex, changing family structures. The design addresses this topic and develops it further into a modular system. The basic module wall and house can be extended in three steps. The ground plan options allow for apartments that are either together or separate, and also for a combination of living space and business. The phase of the expansion doesn’t matter. At a town planning level, the individual object becomes an element that increases the density of the town, and the sum of this creates a new urban district.

Haciendas Urbanas Urban Re-densification Using Modular Design Andrea Hilmbauer

Town planning Increasing density with the example of San Vicente

water tank up to 1600 liter

pressure booster rain water tank 800 liter

toilet – possible switch rainwater | local water

new urban district built in a modular fashion septic tank empted regularly

local water

Sanitary facilities as a reservoir The public drinking water systems in the Ecuadorian coastal towns often do not provide water, even during short periods of drought. For this reason, the sanitary facilities of the house must be able to collect water to take pressure off of the local network and to be prepared for the frequent system failures.

using modular building methods to increase the density of the district

Housing and businesses on the coast Trades people and shops represent small and micro businesses in many coastal towns. However, their relevance for the sustained prosperity of the country is often ignored. The design considers their needs by giving the option to simply and quickly convert the ground floor zone or part of this area and thereby supports micro business in the area. 59

Town planning Increasing density with the example of San Vicente

water tank up to 1600 liter

pressure booster rain water tank 800 liter

toilet – possible switch rainwater | local water

new urban district built in a modular fashion septic tank empted regularly

local water

using modular building methods to increase the density of the district

Mini Module: basic Apartment: 82 m2

basic module and extention possibilities

first floor 5m

| M 1:200

GSEducationalVersion GSPublisherEngine 0.97.100.100

ground floor

Grundriss | Grundmodul | M 1:200 GSEducationalVersion GSPublisherEngine 0.96.100.100

model of the basic structure

Mini Module: basic Apartment: 82 m2

basic module and extention possibilities

first floor 5m

| M 1:200

GSEducationalVersion GSPublisherEngine 0.97.100.100

ground floor

Grundriss | Grundmodul | M 1:200 GSEducationalVersion GSPublisherEngine 0.96.100.100

model of the basic structure

Midi Modules: basic + 1 extension Shop (gf): 21 m2 Apartment gf: 43 m2 Apartment ff: 62 m2

Maxi Modules: basic + 3 extensions Shop (gf): 21 m2 Apartment gf: 64 m2 Apartment gf: 105 m2

first floor

first floor 5m

Grundriss | Grundmodul + 3 Erweiterungen | M 1:200

1 Erweiterung | M 1:200

GSEducationalVersion GSPublisherEngine 0.96.100.100

ground floor

Grundriss | Grundmodul | M 1:200 GSEducationalVersion GSPublisherEngine 0.96.100.100

Grundriss | Grundmodul + 1 Erweiterung | M 1:200 GSEducationalVersion GSPublisherEngine 0.96.100.100

ground floor

Grundriss | Grundmodul | M 1:200

Grundriss | Grundmodul + 3 Erweiterungen | M 1:200 GSEducationalVersion GSPublisherEngine 0.96.100.100

GSEducationalVersion GSPublisherEngine 0.96.100.100

Midi Modules: basic + 1 extension Shop (gf): 21 m2 Apartment gf: 43 m2 Apartment ff: 62 m2

Maxi Modules: basic + 3 extensions Shop (gf): 21 m2 Apartment gf: 64 m2 Apartment gf: 105 m2

first floor

first floor 5m

Grundriss | Grundmodul + 3 Erweiterungen | M 1:200

1 Erweiterung | M 1:200

GSEducationalVersion GSPublisherEngine 0.96.100.100

ground floor

Grundriss | Grundmodul | M 1:200 GSEducationalVersion GSPublisherEngine 0.96.100.100

Grundriss | Grundmodul + 1 Erweiterung | M 1:200 GSEducationalVersion GSPublisherEngine 0.96.100.100

ground floor

Grundriss | Grundmodul | M 1:200

Grundriss | Grundmodul + 3 Erweiterungen | M 1:200 GSEducationalVersion GSPublisherEngine 0.96.100.100

GSEducationalVersion GSPublisherEngine 0.96.100.100

Pueblos Calleros Prototype Houses for Ecuadorian Coastal Regions Sophie Schrattenecker

The overpopulation of urban areas and the formation of slums and favelas in peripheral zones of urban centres are part of a global phenomenon: the migration into cities during the second half of the 20th century. The movement and displacement of places of residence created pueblo calleros which are informal villages along a street. The residents’ lives are closely interwoven with the street since it is the main arterial highway, communications path, and above all, the direct connection to the large urban centres. “It is a turbulent life on the street, accompanied by noise and dust, music and dance and the bitter note of an overlying insecurity that results from the awareness of living on a main road that is accessible to anyone. Anyone could pass by here and get into the living rooms, kitchens, or bedrooms that face out to the road. The light coming through the thin walls make them seem like lanterns in the night.”

example of a new ribbonbuilt village along the main street of the former settlement in Colonche

Pueblos Calleros Prototype Houses for Ecuadorian Coastal Regions Sophie Schrattenecker

example of a new ribbonbuilt village along the main street of the former settlement in Colonche

The design’s objective pueblos calleros tries to organize housing along highly frequented infrastructural routes leading towards areas of high population density. The project’s main objective lies in reaching greater spacial and social density by providing both interior rooms and private exterior space within one building, multiplied by personalized variations within the whole settlement structure. The combination of long-lasting materials such as reinforced concrete and easily renewable, locally available material such as bamboo unfold new possibilities for a building tradition that has been facing a severe decrease over the last decades. Whilst purely bamboo-built houses are lacking privacy for its inhabitants and are easily broken into or destroyed by fire, their earthquake security as well as ecological and atmospheric environmental performance is remarkable. By applying bamboobuilding materials in a beneficial way to a robust settlement structure of concrete and brick, a lasting and highly flexible system is generated.

model of a ribbon-built village on a scale of 1:200

Step-by-step formation of the new ribbon-built village

1 2 3

The community provides a property of sufficient dimension along the road.

Base and walls of concrete and brick are constructed by the community and sold | leased to settlers and future inhabitants.

The new inhabitants are starting to construct their bamboo house inside the structure, using prefabricated joints and openings in the wall and base to fix their light-weighted bamboocolumns and the water-bearing roof(s).

At last only the walls made from split-bamboo are missing. These mats are attached to columns and walls, resembling textiles or even skin.

Step-by-step formation of the new ribbon-built village

1 2 3

The community provides a property of sufficient dimension along the road.

Base and walls of concrete and brick are constructed by the community and sold | leased to settlers and future inhabitants.

At last only the walls made from split-bamboo are missing. These mats are attached to columns and walls, resembling textiles or even skin.

Advantages of the construction system 1. Settlement structure The settlement structure is made denser by using both sides of the wall. Settlements with scattered buildings along busy roads can thereby build a more compact centre and grow into a village structure. 2. Site developement Every house in the settlement is centrally linked to the longitudinal axis of the site. This can either be to the right or left side of the row of load-bearing columns in the middle. Stairways are placed on the opposite side to ensure a comfortable room size in the rooms to the left and right. 3. Indoor climate The roofs are arranged at different heights to make sure that the air circulates optimally in the innermost rooms of the house. The same courtyard positioning that turns up again and again supports this system. This is shaded by overhanging roof surfaces to create cool, fresh air between the individual rooms through the day and at night.

4. Bamboo construction It is almost impossible to set standards for bamboo construction: one cane is seldom exactly the same as another. The usable length of a bamboo cane is usually just over 6 metres. The maximum beam length (between two supports) in this design is 3 metres to make sure that the building materials are used optimally. 5. Fire protection Fire protection is a key topic for bamboo construction. The dividing walls of the houses are therefore designed as reinforced concrete fire walls and in case of emergency they should stop the spread of fire. 6. Hygiene The aim of using fixed wall components for the water and waste water pipes is to ensure that minimum standards of hygiene are met. These can also be connected to under the foundations. 7. Drainage A channel is set in concrete in every wall ending for the roof drainage. These project out over the property to divert the water that falls during the monsoon season away from the house.

A shell of concrete and brick protecting the renewable bamboo-structure inside D

inner structure: bamboo columns and split-bamboo walls

overview of the outer structure: reinforced concrete and brick A base for bamboo columns B connection to intermediate ceiling C exterior base D rain drainage | connection to the roof E interior base

cross section

A shell of concrete and brick protecting the renewable bamboo-structure inside D

inner structure: bamboo columns and split-bamboo walls

overview of the outer structure: reinforced concrete and brick A base for bamboo columns B connection to intermediate ceiling C exterior base D rain drainage | connection to the roof E interior base

cross section

front view of the ribbon-built village

ground plan of the second floor

ground plan of the first floor

front view of the ribbon-built village

ground plan of the second floor

ground plan of the first floor

Stakeholders Andrea Hilmbauer was born in Lower Austria. After finishing school she worked at the hblw in Linz and for the company eas Elektrotechnik. During her subsequent architecture degree studies at the University of Art and Design Linz, her focus was practice-oriented, for example, she did an internship in timber construction, worked as a student assistant (studio gnaiger), as well as in various architecture offices. In 2017 she graduated as Master of Architecture. Helena Schrattenecker was born in Upper Austria and grew up in Vienna. After finishing school, she started to study at the University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences (boku) in Vienna. During the study trip dealing with bamboo constructions in Ecuador and Colombia, she decided to change subject and in 2013 she started to study medicine at lmu Munich.

Jessica Tschurnig has been studying architecture at the University of Art and Design Linz from 2011 until 2015. During her studies she spent two semesters at the ceu Cardenal Herrera University, Valencia in Spain. Her participation in sustainability workshops and her professional background as an engineer help her to create innovative and creative ideas. She has been able to develop her strong interpersonal skills both through running various sports courses for children and adults and from her consideration of architecture for all walks of life.

from left to right Jessica Tschurnig Sophie Schrattenecker Helena Schrattenecker Andrea Hilmbauer

Sophie Schrattenecker initiated and organized this project. She was born in Upper Austria and grew up in Vienna. Between 2008 and 2009 she lived and worked in Ecuador, where she developed a strong interest for human living spaces and the built environment. After returning, Sophie studied architecture at the University of Art and Design Linz and did field research on Southern American bamboo constructions. As second course of studies she signed in for archaeology in Salzburg and finished her Master of Architecture in 2017. 78

from left to right Jessica Tschurnig Sophie Schrattenecker Helena Schrattenecker Andrea Hilmbauer

Research participants Andrea Hilmbauer, Julia Özelt, Helena Schrattenecker, Sophie Schrattenecker, Jessica Tschurnig Research phase 03–06|2013 Concept and design Andrea Hilmbauer, Sophie Schrattenecker, Jessica Tschurnig Planning phase 10|2013– 01|2014 Design supervision Roland Gnaiger, Birgit Kornmüller, Michael Zinner Cooperation with Univ.-Prof. Arch. Jorge Moran Ubidia, Universidad Católica de Santiago de Guayaquil Partner universities and organizations Casa Maria Amor, Cuenca (ecu), Centro Nacional para el Estudio del Bambu-Guadua (col), Hacienda Guayabal (col), Hacienda Tripoli, Guayas (ecu), Hogar de Cristo, Guayaquil (ecu), Hosteria Itapoa, Puerto Lopez (ecu), La Noble Guadúa, Olón (ecu), Museo Arqueológico Balseros del Mar del Sur, Salango (ecu), Universidad Católica de Santiago de Guayaquil (ecu), Universidad Nacional de Colombia, Manizales (col), Universidad Nacional de Colombia, Medellin (col) Thanks to Antonio Blandón Rodriguez, Benjamin Gonzáles Echeverry, Cristy Lozada Aspiazu, Darwin Guerrero, Elia Loor-Chancay, Gema Chávez Loor, Gip Cooper, Jean Marck Pittet, Jorge Moran Ubidia, Marcelo Villegas, Miguel Camino, Nicolás Franco Moncho, Robinson Vega, Valeria Bustos, Johannes Wolfsteiner, Wilder Gómez-Zambrano, Ximena, Padre Helmut Nagorziansky and “los trés ángeles” Irene, Sandra y Rocio 80

The International Summer School on Earthen and Bamboo Construction is a 14day workshop that has been taking place biennially in Altmünster, Austria since 2014.

basehabitat International Summer School on Earthen and Bamboo Construction Altmünster, Austria

Four different workshops—Bamboo, Adobe, Rammed Earth, and Straw and Fibres —form the main programme, held by the leading worldwide experts. In addition, theory classes, peer lectures and theory workshops are also offered. A diversified program with a lot of hands-on experience. At the basehabitat Summer School around 100 participants from over 40 nations profit from the intense and high-quality programme, as well as from the exchange of know-how and work experience with other participants. Come and participate!

The International Summer School on Earthen and Bamboo Construction is a 14day workshop that has been taking place biennially in Altmünster, Austria since 2014.

basehabitat International Summer School on Earthen and Bamboo Construction Altmünster, Austria

Bibliography Tropical Bamboo Marcelo Villegas Villegas Editores, 2003 isbn 0-8478-1192-1 Guadua – Arquitectura y Diseño New Bamboo – Architecture and Design Marcelo Villegas Villegas Editores, 2005 isbn 958-8156-05-X Building With Bamboo – Design and Technology of a Sustainable Architecture Gernot Minke Verlag Birkhäuser, 2012 isbn: 978-3-0346-0748-3 il 31 – Bamboo – Building with vegetal rods Bambus – Bauen mit pflanzlichen Stäbchen Klaus Dunkelberg Institut für leichte Flächentragwerke Karl Krämer Verlag, 1985 isbn: 3-7828-2031-2 85

Imprint

Editing · Andrea Hilmbauer · Sophie Schrattenecker · Corinna König

Graphic design · Basic Concept: Clemens Schedler, Büro für konkrete Gestaltung · Implementation: Corinna König

All rights are reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying or otherwise.

Text · Andrea Hilmbauer · Sophie Schrattenecker

Typeface · Questa Sans designed by Jos Buivenga & Martin Majoor

Copy editing · Cornelia Bräuer · Claudia Mazanek

Pre-press Production · Boris Bonev

BASEhabitat · University of Art and Design Linz Kunstuniversität Linz die architektur · Hauptplatz 8, 4020 Linz, Austria · Phone +43.732.78 98 2293 · Mobile +43.676.847 898 2293 · basehabitat@ufg.at · www.basehabitat.org

Translation · Gearóid O’Callaghan · Amy O’Callaghan · Brian Dorsey Photos · Andrea Hilmbauer · Julia Özelt · Helena Schrattenecker · Sophie Schrattenecker · Philipp Steiner Drawings · Andrea Hilmbauer · Sophie Schrattenecker

Paper · Lenzing Impact 250 g · Lenzing Impact 100 g Printing · Buch.Bücher.Theiss Druckerei 1st edition · 500 copies, March 2018 ISBN · 978-3-901112-82-9 Price of sale · 10 Euro

Imprint

Editing · Andrea Hilmbauer · Sophie Schrattenecker · Corinna König

Graphic design · Basic Concept: Clemens Schedler, Büro für konkrete Gestaltung · Implementation: Corinna König

All rights are reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying or otherwise.

Text · Andrea Hilmbauer · Sophie Schrattenecker

Typeface · Questa Sans designed by Jos Buivenga & Martin Majoor

Copy editing · Cornelia Bräuer · Claudia Mazanek

Pre-press Production · Boris Bonev

Paper · Lenzing Impact 250 g · Lenzing Impact 100 g Printing · Buch.Bücher.Theiss Druckerei 1st edition · 500 copies, March 2018 ISBN · 978-3-901112-82-9 Price of sale · 10 Euro

BASEhabitat University of Art and Design Linz Kunstuniversität Linz die architektur Hauptplatz 8, 4020 Linz, Austria Phone +43.732.78 98 2293 Mobile +43.676.847 898 2293 basehabitat@ufg.at www.basehabitat.org

U1 = 105 mm

ISBN 978-3-901112-82-9

Rückenstärke 7 mm –>

BASEhabitat ba:can Ecuador and Colombia

148 mm

U4 = 105 mm

BASEhabitat ba:can Research and design work in bamboo construction Ecuador and Colombia

BASEhhabitat bacan | A6 | Umschlag 4/4-CMYK | 100#er | RZ am 6. Februar 2018