transitions
a master design studio project by: chelsea sekula
transitions
emergency shelter and transitional housing after disaster
Thesis statement:
carmen de uria,
The process of recovery after a natural disaster can be inspired and quickened by the immediate use of emergency shelters and a sense of community. By designing units to be transitional from shelter to permanent housing, victims are able to stay in one place while re-developing their lives.
vargas, venezuela
01
instructor: jim white, aia
advisor: javier gomez
1
disaster strikes
In december 1999, two days of rain in Vargas, Venezuela triggered extensive mudslides that killed up to 20,000 people. As a result of disaster aid that was slow to arrive, thousands of people were left homeless with no place to turn except the crowded shelters that were set up on military bases and in schools that had survived the flooding. Over a year after the floods, people were still packed into these shelters with no belongings or homes. 02
2
03
emergency response
The first phase in the transition from homelessness to permenance is the initial response. The response unit can be stored on-site such as a park, school, or church, or at a nearby city where quick distribution of materials to many families is possible. After the initial distribution, the response unit is used as a community kitchen and distribution area.
dry storage
kitchen space
water sanitation
possible plan and section of container unit
distribution windows
scale: nts
possible plan and section of container unit scale: nts community laundry space women’s restrooms
women’s showers
men’s restrooms
The second part of the phase one response is a container that would deliver lumber, concrete, and other essential building materials. The unit would then be converted to a community sanitation unit containing showers, toilets, and a community gathering area for washing.
men’s showers
04
3
transform
The transitional housing unit will be developed in two phases. In the first phase, the unit will provide immediate shelter from the elements, as well as a place for families and their belongings. Using this unit as a base of operations, the second phase will be a transition into a permanent simple housing unit.
emergency relief tent unit is erected on the lower phase one site as a temporary structure.
05
farther up the hill, on the permanent site, the pier and beam foundation is constructed.
after completion of the foundation platform, the temporary structure is moved to the new homeowner’s permanent site.
the frame of the permanent structure is erected around the temporary shelter while the family is inhabiting it.
using the community as skilled labor, the sand bags are filled with earth and stacked into the rigid frame.
when the walls have been fully constructed, the temporary tent is used as a roof covering, allowing the family to inhabit their new home.
next, the walls are plastered and construction begins on a permanent roof structure which will support the tarp until roofing panels are attached.
when the permanent roof is added, the unit is complete!
06
floor plan
double 2x12 wood beams 2x6 wood floor joists
covered entry
family gathering and kitchen
outhouse houses secure outdoor storage
private sleeping
covered patio
07
foundation plan
planting bed located in each unit’s courtyard
roof plan
4
permanence
the permanent single family unit is designed with large open spaces so that flexibility is maximized while providing privacy to families with sliding partitions that also allow ventilation throughout the unit.
space between outhouse and unit creates a private courtyard for each family
08
front elevation
elevations
scale: nts
09
left elevation
rear elevation right elevation
08
a plumbing chaise allows all mechanical systems to be located along a single wall. gaps between roof joists are netted for a light, breathable roof.
sliding door system provides vetilation with an inner screen, privacy with a perforated panel, and security and protection with solid corrugated sliding panels.
the thicker and stronger outer walls cover three sides of the unit, while two lighter walls partition the spaces within.
translucent fiberglass roofing panels provide daylight into the key areas of the unit.
gutters collect roof drainage and funnel it into a collection cistern on the ground.
11
framing axonometric and mechanical diagram
airflow diagram kitchen unit the pre-fabricated kitchenette contains a sink, an electric cooktop, and a small electric water heater to provide hot water to the shower.
three levels of airflow provide ventilation to the unit: high openings between the roof joists, windows with sliding covers to control airflow, and an airspace underneath the unit
12
5
13
community
The development of a functioning community is one of the most important factors in the re-building of lives. By focusing on working as a team, providing spaces for gathering, and emulating the relationships and spaces from which the victims were removed, the success of the new environment will be heightened.
N
the site is accessed by a road connected to the main inter-coastal highway
the site location was determined by the topography, soil erosion areas, the path of the sun over the site, and the local wind patterns
terracing and re-forestation will help prevent dangerous soil erosin
a series of simple levees and dams can help to control future flooding
site plan, nts
master plan, nts
14
15
16