10. Emergency Housing: Haiti (EH1)
Design Overview
This project was specifically developed to address an emergency housing shortage from the Haitian earthquake of January 2010, but the concept can apply across a wide range of scenarios when and where emergency housing might be required.
The Problem
Given the immediacy of the situation and likely longevity of remedy, availability and scalability were primary concerns. These issues steered any viable proposal toward standardized materials, low-tech assembly, and low initial investment. Consideration was also given to the usability of existing materials that might still exist on-location.
The on-the-ground environment in the Haiti was unfavorable. With an active history of significant seismic activity and major hurricanes, moralistically, any proposed housing should adhere to international seismic and wind regulations. With an unstable political system, a 77% poverty rate, and the transient population of 500,000+, housing should be temporary, transportable, and reusable. Unfortunately, housing proposed and delivered by several well-known international relief organizations met few of these criteria.
The Proposed Solution
Deliver a pre-constructed kit dwelling (meeting the above requirements) of standard materials that require minimal cutting. Provide assembly details for any and all who whish to donate time, components, financing, or finished materials. Establish strategic collection points for quality validation and packaging (i.e. building supply stores). Work with international GMOs in the region to deliver goods to the point of use and assist in construction.
Of course, all of this depends on a design... Tasked with this aspect, I designed a foundation system that might make use of existing or partially destroyed infrastructure (piles/poles/heavy timber). The system is comprised of a skeleton of band girders (and intermediate), floor panels that rest on girder ledgers, pre-constructed wall and corner postings, pre-constructed wall panels, pre-assembled roof trusses, and pre-cut roof panels.
This project was specifically developed to address an emergency housing shortage from the Haitian earthquake of January 2010, but the concept can apply across a wide range of scenarios when and where emergency housing might be required.
The Problem
Given the immediacy of the situation and likely longevity of remedy, availability and scalability were primary concerns. These issues steered any viable proposal toward standardized materials, low-tech assembly, and low initial investment. Consideration was also given to the usability of existing materials that might still exist on-location.
The on-the-ground environment in the Haiti was unfavorable. With an active history of significant seismic activity and major hurricanes, moralistically, any proposed housing should adhere to international seismic and wind regulations. With an unstable political system, a 77% poverty rate, and the transient population of 500,000+, housing should be temporary, transportable, and reusable. Unfortunately, housing proposed and delivered by several well-known international relief organizations met few of these criteria.
The Proposed Solution
Deliver a pre-constructed kit dwelling (meeting the above requirements) of standard materials that require minimal cutting. Provide assembly details for any and all who whish to donate time, components, financing, or finished materials. Establish strategic collection points for quality validation and packaging (i.e. building supply stores). Work with international GMOs in the region to deliver goods to the point of use and assist in construction.
Of course, all of this depends on a design... Tasked with this aspect, I designed a foundation system that might make use of existing or partially destroyed infrastructure (piles/poles/heavy timber). The system is comprised of a skeleton of band girders (and intermediate), floor panels that rest on girder ledgers, pre-constructed wall and corner postings, pre-constructed wall panels, pre-assembled roof trusses, and pre-cut roof panels.
(Foundation System)
Making use of inexpensive materials (decommissioned phone poles and RR ties) or partially damaged infrastructure (piles/poles/heavy timber), this
8' x 16' foundation system uses double 2x10 band girder with a 2x6 ledger. The layout and setting of the piles could be performed in advance of kit delivery. The waste from this foundation system is less than .5 board feet. |
(Floor Panels, Exploded)
Probably occupancy loading (over-loading) suggests the use of 2x6 floor joists, fanned outward from the exterior girder toward the inside, thus placing loading closer to the support piers.
All cuts are straight. All lengths are in units of 12". In theory, other than the saw kerf, there is no waste in this system. The plywood is a full sheet. |