A Home for Haiti

A Home for Haiti Haiti, Port-Au-Prince 5th Year Joint Project with Patrick Smith 2017

By Joseph Chandler

TO MA S2 010

FAULT ENTRIONAL

CHANSOLME 6.0 1956

SEPT

ALPH

7 200

12

20

05 A 20

EL NO

AC ISA

GONAIVES

BOUDET

PETITE RIVIERE DE L’ARTIBONITE

OLGA 2007

ARCAHAIE

GUS

TAV 2008 PORT-AU-PRINCE

6.2 1952 CAMP PERRIN

ULT DEN FA

IN GAR

LANTA UILLO-P

ENRIQ

6.1 1953

7.0 2010

6.0 2010 JACMEL

ER

NE

STO

20

07

Faultlines

02

Earthquake 5+ 1950-

Hurricane

Tropical Storm

Population One Dot=1000 people

20 Miles 20 Km

The first exercise undertaken by Patrick and myself was an in-depth study of the environment in which we would be designing for. This was an extremely important undertaking as Haiti has one of the highest frequencies of natural disaster in the world.

PORT-AU-PRINCE 2010 EARTHQUAKE 0 0

0.5 0.5

1 Miles 1 Kilometres

Industrial Areas Neighbourhoods Shanty Areas Green Space Collapsed Buildings Damaged Buildings Landslides

We selected Port Au Prince as our primary location which over the years has been devastated by hurricanes, tsunami’s, flooding, earthquakes and landslides. As well as being one of the most disaster prone it is also one of the poorest countries in the world, with poor skilled labour, materials and infrastructure.

03

DEFORESTATION

75% OF HAITIANS LIVE IN POVERTY

WHEN CHRISTOPHER COLUMBUS CAME TO AYITI IT WAS A LUSH FOREST HOME TO INDIGENOUS TRIBES DEFORESTATION BEGAN DURING THE FRENCH COLONIAL PERIOD AND GREW WHEN COFFEE WAS INTRODUCED IN 1730

70% DEPEND ON FARMING FOR A LIVING 15000

ACRES OF TOPSOIL IS WASHED AWAY ANNUALLY

“WE’RE NOT FOOLS; WE KNOW THAT THIS IS DESTROYING THE LAND, BUT CHARCOAL IS WHAT KEEPS US ALIVE” - LIBERUS MESADIEU (FARMER)

AFTER THE 1804 REVOLUTION THE GOVERNMENT WAS FORCED TO EXPORT TIMBER TO PAY OFF A 90 MILLION FRANC INDEMNITY TO FRANCE THE RURAL POOR WERE GIVEN LAND ON MOUNTAINOUS INCLINES, AIDING SOIL EROSION AFTER THE 1954 HURRICANE INCREASED NEEDS FOR COAL, RESULTING IN THE FORESTING OF YOUNG TREES

HAITI

04

DOMINICAN REPUBLIC

We needed to select a material which was highly durable, easily workable, readily available and cheap to produce. As the island of Haiti was almost entirely stripped of its forests, resulting in loose top soils increasing risk to landslides during heavy rains, we decided a solution would be to introduce bamboo to the area, which is one of the fastest growing grasses in the world, extremely strong, easily workable and would secure the top soil.

In order to understand the cultural demographic of Haiti we undertook research into emblematic Haitian objects, features which we could then incorporate within the new proposal. It was important to do this as it meant that the new design would not be foreign concept to the people who would be constructing their own homes.

05

Community

Urban Routes

Access

Sustain Revive Belong Transition

FAMILY

06

+

SPACE

=

LAKOU

Haitian living revolves around family and specific courtyard areas known as ‘Lakou’. Shared plots of land for building houses, planting crops and socialising for up to a dozen homes.

This arrangement formed the basis to our conceptual approach for the new design.

Numerous sketches were drawn thinking about the form, scale and spatial arrangement of the unit. The geometry of the building was an important factor as during high winds the building needed to be aerodynamic, deflecting as much wind as possible. Raising the unit up on stilts was another consideration, dealing with rising water during flooding.

07

08

Reciprocal structures are configured in such as way as to be self supporting. Each individual member provides support to the next. This type of construction has historically been used in the construction of roofs for different nomadic cultures and provide an easy and robust form of construction for the housing unit.

A number of different configuration were tested in the workshop for easy of construction and strength.

When 3 or more poles overlap in turn the self supporting structure formed is called a reciprocal frame.

_4

HI DE

AS

_3

SKETC

EA HI D

SKETC

HI D

Sketch design for the potentials of reciprocal structure for the new house design. We decided that a 4 member reciprocal structure would be best suited for a square building plan. The resultant roof profile meant that the building would be able to deflect wind from all directions and gave an interesting aesthetic appearance.

S

_2

EA

S

_1

SKETC

SKETC

HI D

EA

S

Able to span large distances using minimal materials whilst supporting using simple overlapping joints.

09

10

A panel system was devised in order to allow for a modular form of construction, where the individual house owner could construct the panels in different variations to give them a sense of ownership. It also worked well in regards to maintaining the building, if there was any damage, the panel could be reconstructed and slotted back in place.

After rationalising the design we finally came up with a ‘kit of parts’ which were needed to complete your typical housing unit.

11

12

Sequential model showing the different stages of construction.

HIPPED CUPOLA

CORRUGATED STEEL SHEETING/ BAMBOO WEAVE

BAMBOO ROOF BATONS

RECIPROCAL BAMBOO STRUCTURE

COLLAPSIBLE BAMBOO WEAVE CANOPY

BAMBOO CANOPY STRUCTURE (PERMANENT) BAMBOO TRELLIS STRUCTURE

BAMBOO CANOPY COLUMN BAMBOO PANEL SYSTEM

FLOOR BUILD UP: - SPLIT AND FLATTENED BAMBOO CLUM - BAMBOO JOISTS - BAMBOO BEAMS

BAMBOO STRUCTURAL COLUMN (4 IN EACH GROUP)

RUBBLE BAG FOUNDATIONS

Exploded axonometric drawing showing how the different elements of the construction would be slotted into one another to complete the solid form of the single unit.

13

(Defensible Space) 1000mm

(Protected Core) 3000mm

(Defensible Space) 1000mm

5000mm

Breathable Facade Element (Bamboo Sections) SLEEPING AND STORAGE

Breathable Facade Element (Bamboo Weave)

Verandah Canopy Top Ventilated Openable Element Gingerbread-esque Latticework

Bamboo Trellis (South Facade)

COOKING AND SOCIALISING

14

Ground Floor Level

The single module was the basis of the design, which would provide adequate shelter for the family. This unit could then be added to when more funds were made available.

STREET (CREOLE)

5000mm

STREET (CAILLE)

(Defensible Space) 1000mm

(Protected Core) 3000mm

(Defensible Space) 1000mm

LIVING

5000mm

BEDROOM KITCHEN (COVERED OR UNCOVERED)

PLANTING ZONE

Combined module which provided an additional living area and interstitial kitchen or covered area.

15

STREET (CREOLE) (Protected Core) 3000mm

(Defensible Space) 1000mm

BEDROOM

5000mm

LIVING/KITCHEN

STREET (CAILLE)

5000mm

(Defensible Space) 1000mm

ENCLOSED

16

The combined unit could be configured into numerous iterations so that the occupant could have control over their own living environment.

STREET (CREOLE) (Protected Core) 3000mm

(Defensible Space) 1000mm

(PLANTING ZONE) 1000mm

BEDROOM

5000mm

LIVING/KITCHEN

STREET (CAILLE)

5000mm

(Defensible Space) 1000mm

PLANTING ZONE

TRELLIS

The external trellising could also be used for planting for food crops, tyeing back to the original concept of planting within the ‘lakou’

17

BEDROOM 1

LIVING/KITCHEN

1000mm

3000mm

SMALL COURTYARD (INCREASED SOCIAL ASPECT)

W.C.

2000mm

4000mm

BEDROOM 2

18

The individual and combined unit could be added to piecemeal exponentially until the occupants have enough space for their needs.

(Protected Core) 3000mm

(Defensible Space) 1000mm

LIVING/KITCHEN

BEDROOM 1

STAIRS

5000mm

(Defensible Space) 1000mm

900

3100mm

3100mm

FIRST FLOOR

7100mm

GROUND FLOOR

A two story unit for constrained sites within Port Au Prince was also possible by locating a steep stair/ ladder arrangement along one of the verandas.

19

FIRST FLOOR

GROUND FLOOR

20

The double story units could also be coupled together so that extended families could all live under one roof.

The central stair case would also help to provide structural stability for both units.

Reciprocal Shelter

The reciprocal frame allowed for other typologies to be constructed. A tent structure could be easily constructed to provide initial shelter following a disaster. Once funds and materials have been made available these would then be used in the construction of the single unit. A pavilion could also be constructed as a communal space for the lakou.

Pavilion

21

LIVING WALL Trellis provides a ventilated edge to the module.

Trellis enables fruit and vegetable growing without requiring a large cassava patch which is especially useful in city plots.

+

Vertical climbers provide both fruit and vegetables but also extra shade to the protected core.

Water collected either straight from the home water butt or from the filtration system can be used to hydrate the cassava gardens and help the produce grow.

Climbers provide an extra layer of privacy.

WATER

EXCRETE EAT

COMPOST

ECO-SAN DRY TOILET Bacteria thrive at high temperatures (4060ยบC) and oxidise the waste into components, some of which are used in the process, thereby reducing the volume and removing pathogens. Oxygen is required during the process and as such the toilet needs to be well ventilated. Vetiver grass ash can be added to speed up the decomposition process.

22

GROW

The compost created by the eco-san toilet can then be utilised in producing crops and growing fruit bearing trees such as avocado and mango trees.

SELL

Food can be grown to either eat within the Lakou and the home or to sell at the market or from a stall.

Lakou Eco-Cycle & The Living Wall: As well as the design of the basic unit we took into consideration how the building along with the composting toilet and the surrounding area (lakou) could be utilised to provide the owners a better chance of self sustainable living.

Caille (Kay)

A study of the local housing typologies to Haiti was undertaken to understand the current forms of construction, materials and aesthetic preference. 3 different housing types were identified, the Caille, Creole & gingerbread house. Elements from all three housing types were then brought forward into the new design of the unit, making it a more familiar concept to introduce to the people of Haiti. Maximising its chance of being adopted as an alternative.

Gingerbread House

Creole

23

Housing Model Comparison

HOUSING MODULE COMPARISON Module Footprint: 25m2 Module Footprint: 25m2 Module Area: 25m2

Module Area: 25m2

Module footprint: 50m2 Module footprint: 50m2 Module Area: 50m2

Module footprint: 50m2 Module footprint: 50m2 Module Area: 50m2

2 MODULES_CAILLE

2 MODULES_CREOLE

Module Area: 50m2

Module Area: 50m2

24

1 MODULE

1 MODULE

2 MODULES_CAILLE

2 MODULES_CREOLE

Module footprint: 100m2 Module Area: 75m2

Module footprint: 25m2 Module Area: 50m2

Module footprint: 50m2 Module Area: 100m2

25

3 MODULES

2 STOREY_1 MODULE

2 STOREY_2 MODULES

26

Landscape Domestication Lakou: Visual which showed how the new units could be situated within different contextual settings.

Landscape Domestication Gingerbread House: Visual showing the more developed unit as funds and materials made available and the home owner added to their single unit.

27

RAINWATER COLLECTION STRATEGY •

Bamboo poles halved along length.

•

Capping nodes retained at each end.

•

•

Internal Nodes removed.

Gutter supported from roof frame set to a 2% fall.

•

Bamboo Gutter System (Halved using traditional methods, usually machete)

Hole cut at end to locate down pipe.

Hollowed-out bamboo poles as down pipes.

The water collected via the guttering system will be reused within the home for washing and cleaning, and it will be up to the homes’ discretion if they wish to drink it.

If they don’t wish to, a water filtration tank is provided to each Lakou, to be maintained and topped up by the Lakou members.

Bamboo Halved

Water Collection Tank Semi-submerged underneath the floor of house to keep water cool and shaded.

Water scarcity is a problem in Haiti, thereby providing collection point helps to alleviate the issue to the homes.

Water Filtration

28

Different strategies were developed to maximise the buildings potential for things such as rainwater collection which could then be purified and used for drinking or washing and watering plants. This was simply a section of bamboo split into two pieces and hollowed out.

Perimeter Verandah

Due to the extreme temperature experienced in Haiti throughout the year it was important to provide adequate solar shading and ventilation to the unit. This was achieved by encasing the central living space with an open terrace which runs around the perimeter providing shading throughout the day.

Perspective section 2 story unit: Solar shading study

29

NTILATION STRATEGY

TILATION STRATEGY ections/off cuts will be threaded together and located at the top of each panel in order to allow for the free flow of air to cross ventilate through the space.

ons/off cuts will be threaded together and located at the top of each panel in order to allow for the free flow of air to cross ventilate through the space.

Ventilation Louvres

e has a core and external veranda, creating a protected interstitial space allowing air to circulate around and through the core.

Cross Ventilation

Ventilation Strategy PERSPECTIVE SECTION 2 STORY UNIT: VENTILATION

s a core and external veranda, creating a protected interstitial space allowing air to circulate around and through the core.

PERSPECTIVE SECTION 2 STORY UNIT: VENTILATION

30

The perimeter terrace allowed for free flowing air to circulate around the core reducing internal temperatures. Circular cut sections of bamboo where used to create ventilation louvers at the top of each panel, allowing cross ventilation to circulate through the enclosed space.

Vertical Splicing Joint

Rubble Bag Foundations

In order to make the unit as easy to build as possible for its owner we rationalised the number of different construction techniques needed.

Meaning that all the construction could be done using only a spade, machete and binding.

Reciprocal Roof

Structural Elements: Single Story Module

Fish Mouth Joint

31

32

The foundation consisted of digging four 900mm x 90mm x 600mm holes into which rubble bag would be staked, utilizing previous rubble from past disasters. The individual columns would then be nestled within the central space between the ruble bags and bedded in with more sand and rubble. This form of construction allowed for movement during and earthquake.

CO

EC

TIO

N

FI S H M O

UT

H

NN

We personally tested a number of joinery techniques in order to determine which was the easiest to construct and the strongest. We finally settled on a fish mouth connection with binding. This form of joint could be repeated for all area of the panel constructed.

33

JOINERY: ROOF CONSTRUCTION

STAGE 1: • Mark out using a 3000x3000mm square • In the center place a smaller square of 1000x1000mm at roughly 35 degrees to the larger square.

STAGE 2: • Lay the bamboo poles one on top of the other as shown above, in relation to the small square.

• In each pole, drill a hole through the top and bottom of of the pole at the large square end.

• Thread twine several times through all 4 poles to hold in tension.

STAGE 3: • Gradually close the inner square making it smaller and increasing the pitch of the frame.

• The outer twine square should now be taught.

• Lash each pole to its supporting counter part • Split 2 poles in half to go on top of the frame.

STAGE 4: • Once happy with the pitch check all lashings are tightened.

•Secure the halved bamboo gutters to the supporting poles.

•Overlay the corrugated steel sheeting to mark out the shape to be cut

OPEN/CLOSE In the event of an impending storm, the canopy above the verandah will be able to close down and cover the top ventilation openings to the core, thereby providing extra protection to the inhabitants.

Retracting Canopy during Heavy wind and rain

34

The decision to use a reciprocal structure to form the roof meant that the structure would be self supporting reducing the amount of technical joinery needed. Corrugated steel panels were chosen as they were durable readily available and cheap.

An additional panel was added to the canopy structure which could be closed down over the ventilation louvers during heavy wind and rain.

M

SP

LI C

IN G J OINT

TI G H T E

NE

D

BA

BO

O

A splice joint was developed to connect two vertical members. A locating piece of bamboo is place within the hollowcore of the bamboo column and bound by twisting the string around two pieces of timber which were then tied back to the column to form a spine.

35

36