Student Publication: Haiti Project, Spring 2014

THE HAITI PROJECT

Building... Health, Safety, & Sustainability Through... Radical Collaborative Design Relationships

FORGING THE TEAM

CONTEXT OF THE PROJECT

ENGAGING THE PROCESS

ADDRESSING THE NEEDS

DESIGNING THE SOLUTIONS

REALIZING THE RESULTS

FORGING THE TEAM The studio project for spring 2013 involved the

The nursing faculty have exellent experience

design of a medical clinic for a community in

in areas that are

Haiti. The project was centered on an active

architecture and design. The lead nursing

collaborative practice between the architecture,

faculty

interior design and nursing programs. The

practicing

nursing program has a very distintive graduate

knowledge and an understanding of Haiti.

concentration focusing on disaster response

Likewise, the supporting nursing partner has

and mitigation. The nursing faculty have a

infectious disease experience with extensive

thoughtful recongition of the value and role

experience in developing countries, including

of architecture and design in contributing to

a trip to Haiti with architecture faculty on two

this program and they approached the design

occasions. The students who have worked

faculty about collaborating. The partnership

on the Haiti Project at various times also

has proven to be a strong and active one, with

cover a range of disciplines, architecture,

positive benefits for both colleges.

interior design, landscape architecture, civil

The work in Haiti has also proven to be a natural fit, as the Nursing faculty already had ongoing programs in the country along with

member

is

a

very

professional

engineering, chemical

very complementary to

with

mechanical

engineering,

experienced a

wealth

engineering

together

with

of

and the

graduate students in nursing.

years of experience in that environment. The

The design proposals communicated in this

two colleges have now worked together in two

document are under review for construction

Haiti research seminars, a senior design studio,

and selection of one, or a compositie of

and have collaborated on a user construction

designs, is expected in the near future.

manual being developed for Haiti.

“Health is a fragile thing, and in Haiti it must be safeguarded with extra care. This is one reason why this studio project holds such promise. The work of the College of Architecture and Design, in conjunction with the College of Nursing, has begun drafting plans to strengthen resources that contribute to the health of generations to come. Our work can help assure that the faces of women, children and the old will not be denied when health fails; they will not have to wait.�

Susan Speraw, College of Nursing

CONTEXT OF THE PROJECT the

primary/secondary school, and the medical

architecture, interior design and the nursing

clinic. The nonprofit, as stated in it’s mission,

programs was preceded by other projects

has a “multi-pronged approach to transform

udertaken in Haiti following the earthquake,

a single community by facilitating Haitian

all of which led to the forging of this crucial

initiatives that already exist.”

The

collaborative

practice

between

partnership between the two colleges.

Both the school and the housing addressed

By way of background, a collaboration between

crucial needs in Haiti. The medical clinic had

the architecture program and a Haitian based

a different but equally critical focus, location,

nonprofit began in fall 2010, following the

and client. The spring 2013 studio targeted

January 12th, 2010 earthquake. This relationship

healthcare through the design of an addition to

has been focused in a rural community and has

a small existing health clinic. The existing clinic

involved design and on-going construction of a

started in an abandoned building in 1993 and

secondary school, along with a neighborhood

was built as a facility in a community on the

master plan and the design of fourteen

northeastern corner of Haiti.

homes for faculty, staff, and others. This work involved architecture, engineering, landscape architecture, civil engineering and chemical engineering.

The work put forth has proved successful—the school opened on schedule in Septermber 2012. Sale of the home sites and designs is also moving forward. It is anticipated that all

Addressing the health and wellness needs in

proceeds from the housing project will go to

Haiti, especially related to health education,

support the needs of children in the school.

provides a third crucial leg in the priorities for design by the college Haiti Project. It is believed that these efforts, in the long run, will lead to job-creation and a strengthened economy in the country.

The entire project is documented on the internet, a print publication that was developed for the school, and a similar publication was developed in summer 2012 for the housing design. The work of the studio has been

The client included two groups, a non-profit

supported in a range of ways including the

faith based foundation out of the U.S. and the

generosity a U.S. based non-profit surviving.

local church, which is led under the direction of a pastor who has been active in the community as a minister for 50 years. The U.S. non-profit has been operating in the community, formally, for 20 years, and informally, an additional 20 years before that. They have focused their efforts in several areas—child sponsorship, a

The medical clinic was organized similarly to the previous projects-through the mechanism of a design studio. The studio this past spring involved 19 senior undergraduate and graduate students from architecture, interior design, along with 4 graduate students in nursing.

ENGAGING THE PROCESS The studio included architecture and interior

as possible about the conditions in Haiti and

design

and

what might be an appropriate response. The

graduate, along with four graduate student

nursing faculty played a key role in bridging

consultants from Nursing. A concerted effort

that need, through their knowledge of health

was made, from the very beginning of the studio,

and conditions, health practices and care in the

to develop an immersive approach to the work.

country. As might be expected, there is virtually

How can one break free of personal biases and

no model or similar condition in this country,

of a common understanding of processes that

with which to compare how to approach design

work is done in the U.S.? How can designers

of a medical clinic in Haiti.

students

from

undergraduate

adjust their thinking to reflect a sensitivity to the culture of Haiti. Initially the plan was for all

The students first participated in “design

of the students to go to Haiti, as had been done

thinking”

in previous studios, but the plans unfortunately

conventional thinking and traditional design

had to be cancelled at the last minute due to

process approaches. The focus was on getting

violence in Haiti. This called for adjustments in

outside of the norm, and bringing professionals

how knowledge would be gained and how we

of entirely different backgrounds together in a

would simulate what would have been a direct

way that might generate new approaches to

experience. Fortunately, the faculty were still

problem solving. To culminate the first stage of

permitted to go, to a different location, which

the studio, the students worked in teams of all

proved very valuable in providing data and

three disciplines to develop a “mobile medical

information for the students.

pack” that could be taken back in to remote

as

a

way

to

break

free

of

a

areas of the country as a “field clinic”. Everyone Though the experience was limited to a

was operating outside of their normal comfort

vicarious one, there were significant effort on

zone and the results were creative and wide

the part of all in the studio to absorb as much

ranging.

“The collaboration of architecture and nursing was essential to work through the design process of this clinic. Together we created a dynamic team that was able to work through problems and develop a design that would accommodate the specific needs of the community” Deborah Beaver, Graduate Nursing Student

ADDRESSING THE NEEDS Transdisciplinary Collaboration & Design Thinking Haiti offers extraordinary creative opportunities

Design thinking is not practiced as an expertise

for people to think and work differently. In

mastered by a specialty discipline, but as

order to encourage the breadth of creative

a design process applicable to all people

opportunity

design

interested in making the future a better

implemented

place. By focusing on design processes that

thinking

in

the

techniques

Haiti were

studio,

was

were universal and disciplinary inclusive, the

incorporated in the studio experience. These

following were fostered by transdisciplinary

approaches were provided to foster success

collaboration in the stuidio:

and

transdisciplimary

collaboration

through relationship and practicing a deeper sense of empathy when making decisions.

Students

were

in

relationship

first.

This became extremely important and Because design thinking is a universal process

surprised everyone. Designers and nurses

of creating original ideas, objects, spaces, or

approach

experiences with meaning, imagination, and

placing them together became powerful

integrity they were able to reach beyond the

in reaching solution. Success is measured

traditions of visual/spatial design associated

by how well you work and succeed with

with the building arts. The best design thinking

others. The quality of design improves

merges and synthesizes the tangible and

through, not despite, human relationships.

their

work

differently

and

intangible aspects of the world into new holistic human experiences. It is an inclusive process

Students

were

with emphasis on empathy and collaboration.

Creativity

requires

readically thinking

inclusive. different.

One of the best ways to think different We all realized that design thinking equally

is to work and play with people that are

emphasizes the need to foster deeply creative

very different than you. Being radically

ideations to generate many diverging concepts

inclusive de-emphasizes who had the

and superior critical thinking. The team focused

good ides, and emphasizes how the good

on the concerns of others rather than self-

idea arose and was transformed for the

indulgence and self-promotion.

better by working collaboratively.

“The needs are still very great, but many are helped one at a time... And so we press on, building on friendships that haven been forged in this partnership across the years.�

Friends of Fort Liberte

Equipped for Multiple Terrains The vehicle or transport must be able to handle various types of terrain. This includes mountainous terrains as well as typical roads. Here, speed and utility are key.

Efficient Use of Space The limited amount of space requires for a high degree of efficiency. Each object/person must have necesary space so they can perform without infering with eachother.

Readjustable Space The space should be suitable for several occasions. It should be designed so that it can simply be transformed for each occasion. Each version should be a well-designed as the next.

Reaching Distance Minimized The space should be designed so that minimal movement is necesary. This makes it easier for multiple users to operate simultaneously. It also allows for more rapid access to materials.

ADDRESSING THE NEEDS Haiti has amazing strengths. The culture is rich

easy place to rush in and provide a “superman”

with deep human relationships and community.

solution for a culture in severe crisis. Too often

Providing health care design solutions for Haiti

Haiti is portrayed as a place where one can

is a complex and challenging prospect. First

be a hero that “knows better” and one can

and foremost was the difficulty of addressing

easily correct obvious failures. By working in a

our own prejudices and stereotypes of the

transdisciplinary and design thinking mode the

Haitian culture and the desire to fulfill ones

emphasis shifted from ones personal objective

own personal satisfaction gained from serving

and limitation to outcomes that can build a

a community in need. Haiti appeared to be an

better future through relationships.

Use of Heuristics The first phase of the studio was initiated with design of a mobile medical unit. This phase

Quick and Easy Set-Up In the event of an emergency, time is of the essence. Preparation is an important and can be a large time consumption. Efforts to minimize this are very important.

Durable The vehicle or transport must be able to withstand the elements as well as resist degradation over time. Durability represents the strength and longevity of our aid and design.

was a four-week design exercise to develop team communication and rapport, and receive instruction and practice in design thinking techniques.

Examples

of

design

thinking

techniques such as, affinity clustering, creating importance

difficulty

matrixes,

creating

concept posters, and developing and evaluating with heuristics were formally introduced to the

new issues and discovered relevancy of topics.

The use of heuristics allowed teams to: • Develop and evolve agreed upon sets of issues for project success.

• Facilitate multiple points of views from different professional perspectives.

• Create divergent ideas and creative responses to problems.

• Provide focus in the critical review of the project proposals based on relevant

Sterilization Quickly and Efficiently

Proper Waste Disposal and Containment

students.

Safety is extremely important; for victim and person providing aid. Therefore, sterilization must be a simple and effective process. Sanitation in this climate is critical and often neglected.

Crosscontamination and accidental exposure to old hazardous material is dangerous and should be handled with care. The proper containment and disposal of such material is vital.

applied in design process was the use of

The project in Haiti has unique collaborative

heuristics.

sets

practice and technical challenges. For example,

of criteria that were used to organize key

in the design of the clinic, the structure had

technical and cultural concerns that were

to provide light for diagnosis, ventilation to

central to the success of the project and could

maintain healthy fresh air for disease control, protection from hurricanes, and be organized

the design by all collaborating participants.

for different cultural and familial expectations

and significant issues developed by the

A central design thinking tool initiated and Student

teams

developed

teams.

Appropriate Restraints and Stability

Appropriate Markings and Representation

be used in critical review and improvement of

Unsteady movement can cause injury as well as hinder medical processes.

Safety restraints should be provided for persons and materials.

Appropriate signage and color should be utilized on the vehicle or transport.

This is important so that it is easily recognized as aid and so that it can be spotted from a distance.

The key concerns were organized into a list of

for health care. The above concerns had to be

8-10 heuristics that facilitated on focusing and

achieved without the use of electrical services.

ideation and critical review of design proposals.

The use of heuristics and the techniques to

Teams were encouraged to revise and update

develop, refine, and employ there use were

the list of heuristic topics as they learned of

central in the success of the project.

DESIGNING SOLUTIONS Nursing Faculty Perspective The

nursing

program

recognizes

the

architecture

and

interior

design

students

importance of interdisciplinary collaboration in

showed us the value of design beyond the

finding innovtive and sustainable solutions to

traditional, more measurable indicators such

the complex problems facing the world’s most

as ventilation or square footage. The sensory

vulnerable populations. Because health and

experience of people seeking treatement in

wellness are shaped largely by socioeconomic

clinical settings could potentially influence a

and

nursing’s

range of behaviors and phenomena including

partnership with architecture was a natural

patient satisfaction, education, and willingness

fit. As nursing faculty, we may have initially

to return to the clnic in the future; all of which

perceived our role in the collaboration as

improve health outcomes and help ensure

predominantly informative: Teach architecture

nurses provide the best care possible.

environmental

factors,

and design students the fundamentals of infection control and describe how healthcare

The devastation indicated by the 2010 Haitian

workers and patients interact in clinical settings

earthquake presented a unique opportunity

so that students can design a building suitable

for nursing and architecture to unite under

to the purpose of health promotion. However,

a

it was not long before we realized how much

and contribute to the reconstruction of the

we had to learn from our creative counterparts.

country’s

shared

“build ailing

back

better”

healthcare

philosophy

infrastrudture.

Faculty in both disciplines had prior experience Through interaction with architecture and

working in Haiti which we shared with students

interior design students and faculty, we began

to facilitate greater understanding of Haitian

to understand buildings are living organisms in

culture and way of life. As nurses, our goal was

their own right. They are comprised of dynamic

to provide insight into the challenges Haitian

systems involving space, light, color, and air

people face accessing healtcare as well as the

that help construct our sense of reality and

typical services and operations of rural clinics.

perception of the physical world in which we

The architecture and interior design students

live out our lives. In healthcare, we are deeply

were extraordinarily perceptive and engaged

concerned with the lived experiences of people

us in thoughtful discourse about the needs

suffering from illness and how healthcare

of both patients and healthcare providers.

professionals

Students

can

better

support

holistic

also

seized

the

opportunity

to

healing. Working with architecture and Interior

incorporate nursing students into their design

design enhanced our understanding of yet

teams and utilized their knowledge base in

another layer of human experience that impacts

the design process. Throughout the semester,

wellness. From vibrantly colored murals to

nursing students reflected on the challenges

light filled vaulted ceilings to landscaping,

and ultimate benefits of working so closely with

DESIGNING SOLUTIONS another discipline including: learning a common

the project. These skills are necessary and

language

specific

transferable to many aspects of life, and

jargon, embracing a new way of thinking about

this unique project examplified the power of

health, and overcoming logistical/technological

collaboration for interdisciplinary education

challenges to ensure all voices were heard

and practice.

to

transcend

discipline

despite the rapid pace of tight deadlines of

Mobile Medical Unit The semester was initiated with a three week

ownership, become familiar with the design

design of a mobile medical unit. Student

process, and develop team cohesion and

teams were to propose a system of delivering

rapport. The challenges facing the design teams

health care to rural Haitians in the field

with the mobile medical unit further prepared

directly

The

them for the clinic project by allowing for the

design had to respond to the realities of the

understanding of key health issues facing Haiti,

Haitian communications and transportation

familiarizing methods of delivering health care

infrastructure,

of

without electricity, developing a sensitivity

delivering medical care, and the ergonomic and

of medical waste and environmental impact,

human factor issues of transporting supplies.

and create unique, creativing responses with

The intent was to allow students to prepare

limited physical resources.

following

a

natural

cultural

disaster.

expectations

for the design of a clinic without disciplinary

“What helped the most in the collaboration was the student’s immediate acceptance of us nurses, complete openness to our health-related input, and their sharing of architectural concepts with us. While neither group was specialist in the other discipline, everyone was treated as an expert and knowledge was readily shared. We eagerly shared our knowledge so we could understand each others’ expertise and bring the two together to design a building useful to the client, a Haiti citizen in need of a health care clinic..”

Stasia Ruskie, Graduate Nursing Student

B

DESIGNING SOLUTIONS

ECTION

NTILATION

Studio Perspective

Y

AYLIGHT

A

C

GROUND FLOOR PLAN SCALE: 1/8: = 1’0�

WOODEN TRUSSES

TAKEN APART AND REUSED ON NEW BUILDINGS

CORRUGATED METAL ROOF REUSED ON NEW BUILDINGS

IRON WORK

TAKEN DOWN FROM WALL AND REUSED ON WINDOWS IN NEW BUILDINGS.

REUSE OF EXISTING FIRST FLOOR CLINIC

CMU BLOCK

TORN DOWN, BROKEN UP AND REUSED AS AGGREGATE FOR CONCRETE AND IN GRAVEL WALKWAYS

EXTERIOR/ INTERIOR DOORS

TAKEN DOWN FROM WALL AND REUSED IN UPSTAIRS APARTMENT AND DORMITORY

EXISTING FURNITURE

REMOVED AND REUSED THROUGHOUT REST OF SITE AS NECESSARY.

INTERIOR TILE

REMOVED FROM CONCRETE SUBLAYER AND REUSED IN THE NEW OBSERVATION, OR IF TOO DAMAGED, BROKEN DOWN AND USED AS A CONTRAST TO CRUSHED CMU GRAVEL

EXISTING SECOND LEVEL

FLOOR SLAB AND MOST UPSTAIRS WALLS LEFT UNTOUCHED. EXTERIOR PORCH BECOMES INTERIOR. REUSE METAL ROOF FOR NEW SLOPE AND ADJUST EXISTING WOODEN TRUSSES TO MONO TRUSS WITH NEW SLOPE. WINDOWS REMAIN IN PLACE.

CORRUGATED METAL ROOF ING TIED IN WITH SCREWS

2Ă“ X 4Ă“ PURLINS TO HOLD DOWN ROOF

2Ă“ X 4Ă“ WOODEN TRUSS SYSTEM

As the first cross-disciplinary and collaborative

With the aid of a team member or outside

experience for many of the students in this

perspective, the project will develop with

Haiti studio, it not only shaped the way we

renewed

approached problems, but also shaped how

enthusiasm that can only come from and

we communicated, perceived, and discussed

educated individual giving their all to this

information

previously

project� (Sawyer, undergraduate architecture).

mentioned, our class consisted of students

It was clear from the first day of class that

in undergraduate and graduate architecture,

there was excitement to be working together,

interior

especially

with

design,

others.

and

Like

nursing.

The

nursing

enthusiasm.

with “It

“They

individuals

brought

of

enhanced

the

differing

students and faculty acted as consultants to

backgrounds.

my

our group projects. They brought knowledge

design and gave me a broader view of the

group’s

on an unfamiliar topic for the design students,

architecture side that I would not have gotten

and became a resource necessary to the design

in another studio� (Brelsford, interior design).

process. This changed how we, as design

The collaboration pushed beyond the orders

students, engaged others in the development of

of the design profession. They informed us

our designs. We cooperated within our groups

about the specifics of nursing and healthcare in

to overcome the project’s inherent challenges

developing countries by explaining from their

and to complete a design that would benefit

personal experiences so we could better cater

others.

to our clients. We found that sometimes our good design idea lacked practicality and may

The class as a whole felt collaboration amongst 8Ă“ X 12Ă“ REINFORCED CONCRETE BEAM

DASHED LINE FOR IMPLIED REBAR BEYOND INTO BEAM

8Ă“ x 8Ă“ x 16Ă“ TYP CMU BLOCK

PLYWOOD JOINT FOR CMU WALLS 6Ă“ POURED IN PLACE CONCRETE SLAB 4Ă“ GRAVEL FILL

CAST IN PLACE CONCRETE STRIP FOOTING

encouraged and facilitated to ensure ideal

Just

development. “Allowing a different viewpoint

guided our decisions, we taught them how to

into the heart of my design helped me make

visualize spaces, create relationships, and apply

imperative changes and allowed us as a class to

emotions and characteristics to spaces. From

switch the focus of our designs on the needs of

these collaborative experiences, we were able

the clinic’s user� (Metts, graduate architecture).

as a class to provide not only more grounded

Collaborating

another

and established ideas, but we were able to

discipline truly broadened the experience of

build trust and relationships that will begin

the class and revitalized our typical learning

to positively shape the way of how we think,

atmosphere. The functionality of every design

perceive, and communicate with others.

with

students

of

move was questioned to protect the efficiency of the clinic’s visitors and employees, as a whole.

WALL SECTION A

even be detrimental to medical practices.

disciplines, though not essential, should be as

the

nursing

students

and

faulty

REALIZING THE RESULTS The spring, 2013, studio of 23 students in

with the studios, including areas of research.

architecture,

nursing,

In particular, the construction user manual for

developed a total of 11 different solutions for the

single family homes, entitled LIFEHOUSE, is

Ft. Liberte Medical Clinic. The projects provided

scheduled for completion by fall, 2014. It will be

a siignificant level of creative thinking and idea

given widespread disribution in Haiti, translated

generation across a range of considerations.

into both French and Creole.

interior

design

and

It is anticipated that a selected project, or composite, will be built in the fairly near future.

It is the better of the faculty and students who have been involved that the work in Haiti

At the conclusion of the spring semester,

provides a service learning experience that is

a

was

life changing. The most crucial aspect of the

conducted with the class by an outside

collaboration, aside from the obvious benefits

consultant to determine the value of this

of the team, is related to the intent that all

collaborative experience. The results, as of

the work is done with the engagement of the

last year, were overwhelmingly in support of

Haitian people. It is criticially important to

the partnership of collaborative practitioners.

develop a means for connecting to the culture

The team is moving forward to a Haiti Studio

and context, and investing the people in the

in the spring, 2014, and beyond. The partners

process at each step along the way.

confidential

debriefing/dialogue

are building their work on several fronts, along

“We found that the acceptance of a building typology relies on an understanding of the indigenous materials and local buildng practices while offering improved techniques. Due to the limited amount of materials and difficulties encountered when importing them to Haiti, responsible architects must consider utilizing local materials and methods of construction when designing.�

Christian Powers, Fourth Year Undergraduate Architecture Student

“The Haiti Studio was more than a design class, it was an opportunity to provide amity to fellow members of the human race. The projects were beyond the typical, theoretical client expected in an educational setting. We had and actual client with needs to take care of actual visitors. We had the chance to enter the lives of individuals living a thousand miles away, and to build on their strengths to better their lives. This challenge of working in a foreign environment brought another dimension to our designs. The objective of this class was more than good design. It was about both applying research to design a functional and feasible medical facility—whether built or mobile—for Haitian communities, especially Fort Liberte.”

Spring 2013 Haiti Design Studio