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