pro design-build

Jared Weismantel & Molly Bausman Arch 472

Dedicated to the inhabitants of the Santo Domingo
barrio, in appreciation for their indomitable happiness.
If they’re still smiling, how could we dare not be?

©2010 Jared Weismantel & Molly Bausman

Conten
nts
5 | the why
9 | the problem
23 | the place
35 | the community
47 | the attempt at justice
51 | the participation
57 | the resources
89 | the plan
116| the bibliography
5
the why
6
T o be, or not to be: that is the question:
Whether ‘tis nobler in the mind to suffer
The slings and arrows of outrageous fortune,
Or to take arms against a sea of troubles,
And by opposing end them?
William Shakespeare -- Hamlet, Act III.i.

Compassion or “God Complex”
In Hamlet’s melancholy soliloquy where he considers
suicide, he stumbles upon a larger human question-
-to accept the conditions of the world, or to change
them. While the soliloquy ends without Hamlet finding
resolution, we as people and we as designers need to
make this decision in real-time, daily. Just as accepting
all that the world is without an attempt at change would
leave our race as shivering nomads without tools or
sustainable fire, trying to control everything in the world
has proven to be impossible, occasionally with disastrous
results.
As designers, the question of whether to accept or
change our environment is often more acute. We must
directly engage the world and decide whether or not
the base environment meets the needs of the people
who will be living in it. As Architect and Professor Simon
Unwin explains in Analysing Architecture, “It is not possible
to change everything by the powers of architecture.
But neither is it feasible to leave everything as it is.
Merely by lighting their campfire our prehistoric family
changed the world. Architecture therefore involves both
acceptance and change” (Unwin, 109)
The question of whether or not to muddle becomes
somewhat easier if one adopts one of the barrio-dwellers
as a persona. Do I want clean water conveniently close
to my home? Yes. Do I want a place to dispose of
my trash? Yes. Do I want my children to get a good
education, equal to that of their peers? Yes. Do I want
my roof to blow away in a hurricane? No. Do I want
to even be in my current home during a hurricane, and
subsequent flood? No. Do I want to be sure I have a
place to stay tomorrow? Yes. If someone offered to help
me build a home that I could actually own that solves 7
many of the problems with the my current one, would I
do it? Yes.
Assuming that we have at least some understanding of the
implications of our actions, leaving the underprivileged
to compete with the rest of the developed world without
the tools to do so is more reminiscent of apathy rather
than wisdom. We as a human culture must not be
apathetic to the needs of others--it has not served us
well in the past. So are we all suffering from “God
Complex”? Perhaps it is more “compassion complex”.
9
the problem
 The causes of this type of extreme poverty vary
from place to place, but has many similar symptoms.
Inadequate housing, healthcare, economic opportunity,
education, and infrastructure are all traits of third world
countries. The citizens of these countries are forced to
create informal settlements to try meet their own basic
needs, without the help of their governments.

The history of these countries often involves a colonial

past where the local populations were exploited by the
conquering and subsequently ruling class. The resources
and people were then exploited to swell the treasuries
of empires. Once the conquerors had found what they
had come for, they left leaving people they governed
without the ability to govern themselves. Political
instability leads to stunted economic growth. Stunted
10 economic growth leads to lack of infrastructure and
lower incomes, often low enough to make even basic
The Problem amenities unaffordable. Lack of educational and
economic opportunities perpetuates political instability
The vast majority of the Earth’s population subsist at and stunted economic growth.
sub-poverty levels. The general neglect of governments,
along with diminished social status in their home countries, Why We Care
and lack of economic opportunities these people
must find shelter, food, and water without significant • everyone deserves the right to freedom, dignity, and
monetary cost. The “informal communities” they form safety in there homes.
are not supported by any infrastructure, and are often • develop strong relationships with people outside our
unrecognized by the governments whose domain they borders, good for international cooperation.
exist in. These people need a stable community that • Architects job is to protect the health, safety, and well-
is supported by the government so they can raise their being of the people we serve.
socioeconomic status through integration to the community • a self-sufficient culture doesn’t require financial or
at large and economic opportunity. The design “will other support from others.
attempt to reconcile the unique position of these people • creates a learning opportunity for the world to meet
to live with dignity, to have access to education and their needs with minimum resources.
religious-based space, to be safe, to grow and sell food • maintaining the hygiene and health of at-risk
or other products, to engage in play, and to carry out a populations brings us toward the possible elimination of
lifestyle limited by resources but not hope. some dangerous diseases
problem statement adopted from Objectives in course syllabus.
 11

image: Alfredo Maiquez, The Travel Book.

12
 13

Third World. n.
Collective name for most of the nations of Africa, Asia, Latin
America, and the Middle East, many of which share a colonial
past and are variously termed as developing, less developed,
or least developed countries. They support 75 percent of
the world’s population but consume only 20 percent of its
resources, and are generally characterized by (1) slow pace
of industrialization, (2) low to very low levels of per capita
income that is insufficient to generate savings for economic
growth, (3) low literacy levels but high rate of population
growth, (4) poor health facilities and transport infrastructure,
(5) dependence on agricultural and commodity exports as
main foreign exchange earners. Coined in the 1950s by
the French writer Alfred Sauvy. (as ‘le tiers monde’), it was
originally used in the Cold War era (1945-89) to distinguish
non-aligned nations from the Western capitalist economies
aligned with the US (the First World) and the Eastern communist
economies aligned with the USSR (the Second World).

text: BusinessDictionary.com. image: wikimedia commons

 Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic

14
 15

third world sometimes considered third world developed world

map: based on wikimediacommons.org image

16 comparison
United States of America Dominican Republic
population: 307,212,123 population: 9,650,054
growth rate: 0.975% growth rate: 1.489%
median age: 36.7 years median age: 24.9 years
net migration: +4.31migrants/1,000 population net migration: -2.22 migrants/1,000 population
life expectancy: 78.11 life expectancy: 73.7
urban population: 82% urban population: 69%
major infectious diseases: none major infectious diseases: bacterial diarrhea, hepatitis
A, typhoid fever, dengue fever, malaria

literacy: 99% literacy: 87%

suffrage: 18 universal suffrage: 18 universal

GDP per capita: $47,500 GDP per capita: $8,000

unemployment: 10.2% unemployment: 14.1%
population below poverty line: 12% population below poverty line: 42.2%
 17

Austria China
population: 8,210,281 population: 1,388,612,968
growth rate: 0.052% growth rate: 0.655%
median age: 79.5 years median age: 34.1 years
net migration: +1.85 migrants/1,000 population net migration: -.39 migrants/1,000 population
life expectancy: 79.5 life expectancy: 73.47
urban population: 67% urban population: 43%
major infectious diseases: none major infectious diseases: none

literacy: 98% GDP literacy: 90.9% GDP

suffrage: 18 universal suffrage: none

GDP per capita: $40,400 GDP per capita: $6,000

unemployment: 3.9% unemployment: 4%
population below poverty line: 5.9% population below poverty line: 8%

map: based on wikimediacommons image. text: cia worldfactbook

18
 19

Implications of History
Beginning with the attempted resource exploitation by
the Spanish, who believed the island was rich in gold,
Hispaniola has changed hands many times usually
following revolt, invasion, or other unrest. The vulnerable
island’s social instability, combined with a history riddled
with natural disasters has created a resilient, albeit
unlucky people. The Dominican Republic, while currently
more stable, still has a government allegedly riddled
with corruption. An ineffective government, weak
economy, and unstable history have allowed parts of
the population to be overlooked, their needs not met on
many basic levels. These people build what homes they
can in unused land within and around the major cities,
giving rise to slums.

signature of Christopher Columbus from Wikipedia.org

 Timeline of The Dominican Republic

1496. The Spanish start Santo

Domingo as their first colony, Santo
Domingo will be the subsequently be
the of all Spanish colonies in the New
20 World

1500 1600 1700

1492. Columbus arrives at the island, 1697. Treaty of Ryswick gives 1795. Spain cedes its
naming it Hispaniola the western part of Hispaniola to portion of Hispaniola to
France, establishing a French Haiti. France
 1930. General Trujillo
establishes personal
dictatorship.

1808. Spain regains Santo Domingo 1937. Dominican Army

after Spanish Creoles revolt. Haiti massacres 20,000 Haitians
remains under control of the French living in areas of the Dominican
Republic adjacent to Haiti

1961.
Trujillo assassinated.
1844. Santo Domingo
regains it’s independence,
& becomes the Dominican 1979. Two hurricanes
Republic leave 200,000 homeless.
21
1800 1900 2000
1916-24. American
2003. Police and protesters
occupation following
clash during demonstrations,
internal disorder.
leaving five dead.

1998. Hurricane George

1861. The Dominican Republic
causes widespread
returns to Spanish Rule. It then
devastation
regains independence after popular
revolt
1965. 30,00 US troops
1821. Uprising against invade following an uprising
Spanish rule is followed by in support of the former
brief independence, Haiti president
soon annexes Santo Domingo
1963. The elected president
is replaced by a three-man
civilian junta

Information from BBC world news.

23
the place
24
 25

Climate

Santo Domingo has a humid tropical maritime climate

leaving the island prone to hurricanes, tropical storms
and depressions, and torrential seasonal rains. The Santo Domingo, during
prevailing northeast trade winds bring warm moist air
from the tropic Atlantic ocean. The possibility for heavy
Hurricane Ernesto.
rain and hurricane-force wind must be considered in the
design of any building here.

image: wikimedia commons, courtesy US Navy Satellite.

26
 27

Santo Domingo, or Santo Domingo de Guzmán, is the

capital and largest city in the Dominican Republic. Its
metropolitan population was 2,084,852 in 2003, and
estimated at 2,253,437 in 2006. The city is located on
the Caribbean Sea, at the mouth of the Ozama River.
Founded by Bartholomew Columbus in 1496, it is the
oldest continuously inhabited European settlement in the
Americas, and was the first seat of Spanish colonial rule
in the New World.

map: based on wikimediacommons. image. text: wikipedia.org

 SITE ORIENTATION

28

santo domingo
 29

neighborhood
30
 public buildings
built environment

site

clinics

churches

31

Distanced.

The nearest clinic is .8 miles away. Not a great walk if

you are seriously hurt or under the weather. The services
included in the community design should solve some
problems of connection with basic needs. Infrastructure
that would most benefit the poor should not be out of
their reach..
 __
N

32

Topography & Hydrology

^ ^ ^ ^
Through the site a large ravine directs water toward
prevailing winds

Flora & Fauna

the river which is to the East of the site. It presents
problems in finding suitable building sites that are
not prone to flash flood. Stable foundations may be
expensive to build on such a steep slope.
Tropical plants could possibly grow on the site,
however currently there is limited space available
with the exception of a few trees. More greenspace
and trees could cool the surrounding area in a
passive & economical way
 > > > runoff & existing storm drain
> 33

^ ^ ^ ^
Geology & Soils
prevailing winds

The land beneath Santo Domingo is composed

largely of Pliocene silioclastic sedimentary rock &
Pliestocene reefs. This sedimentary rock is easily
carved by running water & other forces. It is strong
enough, however, to support most building types.
Macroclimate & Microclimate
The climate of the Dominican Republic is tropical
maritime; little seasonal temperature variation;
seasonal variation in rainfall. The local climate of the
site may trend slightly warmer due to proximity to
large industry and limited green space.
35
the community
36

a more representative democratic county after 1978.

Defining a Community within a Community By giving citizens a voice in government, it helps prevent
rebelliousness of citizens and increases allegiance to
A community is an assemblage of interacting people who
the government and one another. The Dominican, with
share common characteristics or interests and perceived
the United States as an example, is striving to create
or perceiving itself as distinct in some respect from the
a more unified nation through a democratic form of
larger society within which it exists.
government. One of the major economic problems is
the severe inequality of income among its civilians.
The Dominican Republic has had a rich history since
the arrival of Christopher Columbus in 1492 where
As one of the oldest settlements in the Americas, Santo
he established the first European settlement in Santo
Domingo was established on the south side of Hispaniola
Domingo which became the first capital in the Americas
near the ocean and the Ozama River that cuts through
and the first for Spain in the New World. Spain ruled
the city. The site that we will be working with is about a
much of the island for centuries with brief exchanges of
mile north of the mouth of the river. The people who live
Haitian and French rule, then back to a 72 year rule by
on this site do not make more than a few dollars a day at
Spain again before being occupied by the United States
the jobs that they may have. Primarily used for housing,
in the early 1900’s. In the past 70 years it has seen
the area offers limited open space for outdoor activities
various exchanges of political power between dictators
and areas of congregation. The community that we
and authoritarian leaders until recently moving towards
create will focus on allowing adequate space for living
that satisfies the needs of these people who share similar that garbage is thrown into the streets because there is
characteristics and interests. One component that must no form of garbage collection.
be incorporated is green space within the community,
not just in one area but areas throughout the 2.5 acres Getting around should be easy and enjoyable. By
of land. creating organized pathways through the site we can
bring organization and ease of travel to the people
Informal settlements, or slums, are areas where within the community. A main path of circulation will
inhabitants use what little resources are available to be home to many of the spaces for the community and
them to create a place to call home. Many of these smaller, secondary paths may be areas for residential
settlements, however, are not owned by these people use only.
because the land is undesirable to anybody but these
people. The high numbers and limited space make these By incorporating these strategies into this community
areas dense in population and can only offer a low there is no reason it is not viable. With health and
standard of living; because of this the quality of life is welfare in mind, it will generate a design the focuses
not adequate. As designers, it is our job to design safe on sustainability and appropriate technology for these
and healthy places of living for these people and to citizens of Santo Domingo.
share our technology with them to improve their quality
of life. This can be accomplished by using appropriate 37
technology to build and sustain life in the area after
the building process is complete. Like in the story of
Gaviotas, they were going to use palm branches for the
roofs of their homes. This process, however, required
80 leaves for every square meter. With expansion in
mind, they knew that this method was not logical unless
they were going to cut down the entire forest. Using
appropriate materials to build is important but it is also
important to use building strategies that are future-
oriented and sustainable.

Water collection, storage, and re-use will be important

for the inhabitants because it can be used for so many
things such as drinking, cooking, bathing, cleaning, etc.
With a rainy season spanning May through October,
natural water collection and storage will be vital to the
citizens and green spaces we create. Creating areas
for waste, such as garbage, can be beneficial to the
community because the current state of the site shows
 Population of Santo Domingo.

38
 39

Population of Santo Domingo

estimated to live in one of 16 barrios.

data: CIA world factbook & Dominican Foundation (note: assumption is that 40%
national poverty roughly equates to 40% within Santo Domingo).
 Income Disparity, Dominican Republic

lower class upper class

= 100,000 people = 100,000 people

40

poorest50%ofpopulation 17.888
poorest50%ofpopulation 8.944
other
receive
35.776
44.72
other
receive
26.832
44.72

10% GDP 40% GDP

poorest 50% of the population earns 20% of the richest 10% of the populations earns 40% of
GDP, or 8.944 billion US dollars. $1,853 per the GDP, or 17.88 billion dollars. $18,536 per
person. person
 41

Disparate Income, Disparate Culture

The income disparity between the upper and lower

classes in the Dominican Republic is marked. The social
stratification that inevitably follows economic stratification
almost makes the inhabitants of informal settlements
the “untouchables” of society. These “have-nots” have
grown their own sense of culture and developed a
different set of social norms. For example, the Bachata
musical style was developed among the lower classes
of the Dominican Republic as an offshoot of Bolero and
Merengue. The musical style was outlawed from radio
during the reign of Trujillo from 1930-1961, but has
grown in popularity ever since. This development of a
slightly different set of social practices creates an even
more distinct sub-community within the favelas of Santo
Domingo.

data: CIA world factbook.

42

Boundaries & Bridges

The boundaries that separate inhabitants of Santo
Domingo’s 16 barrios (EuropeAid, 1) from the rest
of Dominican society are not only economic, but
educational, political, cultural, and sometimes even
physical. The cultural segregation of these people
isn’t always intentional, but it exists nonetheless. The
widening cultural and economic chasm between the
classes will perpetuate the subjugation of the lower
class, almost without a doubt. Redevelopment of a slum
should allow the people to bridge the gap economically
through economic opportunity, educationally through
stronger and more abundant schools, politically through
encouraging residents to become involved, culturally by
incorporating the populace at large into the neighborhood
and vice versa, and physically by improved pedestrian
passageways and affordable public transportation.
43
44

Community Design is:

The development of a community framework within
which its constituents have the ability to live their lives to
their utmost potential. It is the design of an environment
that fully supports the spiritual, economic, social,
environmental, intellectual, and physical dimensions of
human wellness for each of the inhabitants. The design
also limits factors that may work negatively against any
of these dimensions of community life.

see also: Design by a community.

45
47
the attempt at justice

48
Social, Economic, & Environmental Justice
Social Justice
The persistence of poverty and inequality in Latin
America can be attributed to the political and social
instability within the region. With the implementation
of a mesoeconomic strategy, it would result in various
services, agriculture, industry, and mining to generate
growth; reducing both poverty and inequality. All
citizens should have an equal opportunity to improve
their lifestyles but because this strategy has not been
put in place it has drawn a fine line between social
classes, allowing only the middle and upper classes to
gain benefits. From 1820-1930, a laissez-faire system
promoting free market, free trade, private enterprise,
deregulation, and Central Bank autonomy have all
favored capitalist, foreigners, the rich, the educated,
and elites in general. This has been possible at the
expense of the needy, those in poverty, and the weaker
members of society. Poverty and inequality are present
because of market failure courtesy of the government.
“The mesoeconomics of government are defined as the
rules and regulations of government on the one hand and
actual value and nature of the collective, semipublic, and
private commodities (goods and services) produced by
the state as a consequence of these rules and regulations
on the other.” (Mamalakis, 186)
This mesoeconomic strategy, enforced by a stable
government, will provide the proper benefits to the
proper individuals as opposed to “worthy” classes. The
collective and semipublic services by the upper and
middle classes came at the expense of the lower classes
through agricultural and mineral resources, rather than
taxes on their incomes.
In summary, the inequality and poverty within the nation
can be resolved through price stability by implementing
“meso” fiscal and monetary policies. This will allow
the financial sector to develop and maintain with a
constitution that provides financial services to various
sectors, i.e. mining, agriculture, industry, trade, public
administration and defense and other service activities;
all of which need to grow sufficiently to reduce poverty
and inequality.
Economic Justice
Because we are dealing with a small community that
is struggling economically due to lack of government
stability, it is important to bring self-provided commerce
into the area (Lipset, 3). The economic value of a slum
and the lives of those who live in these areas are not very
high. By implementing ways to bring business to the area
the local economy will begin to pick up and grow with environmental conditions before the harm occurs, not
every passing day. “A wealthy economy makes possible afterwards; 3) mechanisms for assigning culpability
higher levels of education, literacy, urbanization, and and shifting the burden of proof of contamination to
mass media exposure, while also providing resources to polluters not residents; and 4) redress for the impacts
mitigate the tensions produced by political conflict.” The with targeted remedial action and resources...the right
result of the listed possibilities leads to more successful to information, the right to a hearing, and the right to
lives for those within barrios economically and socially. compensation” (Cutter, 112).
Our plan allows citizens to grow and sells their plants,
gives jobs to people who collect garbage for recycling Environmental justice for the population of the Santo
and making biomass pellets for fuel, a place for Domingo barrio is achievable with the participation
education, a place for worship, and a place for health. of the citizens of the area. A design to help them
The economic justice that our plan can provide reaches achieve this should address the aforementioned points
beyond the borders of the slum and into the city fabric and set up a societal system for redress from past
itself, creating stability that will help sustain a proper wrongs. Preventative measures should also be installed
democracy. to prevent “adverse health impacts” within the newly
proposed infrastructure.
Environmental Justice
49
Environmental equity is a broad term that is used to
describe the disproportionate effect of environmental
degradation on people and places (Cutter, 112).
It is cited to have roots in social, generational, an
procedural “dissimilarities” between different social
groups. Governmental recognitions of communities
is a major way in which to bring a greater amount
of environmental justice to a degraded area. If a
population is underrepresented economically or socially
their settlements--especially if impermanent often may
fall victim to the placement of undesirable infrastructure.
Industrial infrastructure can have a negative effect on
health, and social wellbeing. Also the instability that
unrecognized communities often suffer from accounts for
another sort of environmental stress.

In order to advance environmental justice, a populations

must have “1) protection from environmental degradation;
2) prevention of adverse health impact from deteriorating
51
the participation
52

The Real Problem ? causes are remarkably similar for all) we know that
we need to give them tools to instigate overall social
After one Monday’s meeting, Jared and I were a little change themselves. They must be active in protecting
lost as to what exactly we were supposed to do next. their own welfare if any long-term solution to their plight
We’ve noticed that the rest of our classmates have been is to be found. Instead of an environmental design issue,
questioning different parts of this project as well, things we have concluded that this is more of a participation
like “do we really need to do this” or “ I don’t know issue.
enough about these people to tell them how to live” or
“they’ve been doing well enough so far, we’ll just give Yes, they definitely need something different in order
them a few more tools” or “they aren’t even close to to continue living there, but it is still not a design issue—
living a healthy life, we need to give them a much better yet. Perhaps the role of a designer here is more of
place to live”. All these statements are true. However, teacher and consultant than lead designer. What we
we feel that the problem presented to us isn’t actually truly need to design is a way to teach these people
what we need to solve. After researching root causes how to create a new environment largely by themselves.
of social, economic, and environmental injustices (the The knowledge we possess needs to be applied here,
 53

but it really doesn’t need to be applied by us. We type of design that will have the greatest impact here.
can give them much more by teaching and encouraging Any funds that we would have had to do the design here
certain changes that our education teaches us will help will be allocated to the implementation of the top design
them economically, socially, and environmentally in the ideas that the citizens of this barrio come up with.
longer run. We certainly should encourage change and
help them make those changes but careful listening and We will create reference documents, Workshop
educated responses to their problems and questions framework & materials, and Charette framework &
is certainly going to end up being the best service a materials. Also a competition will be developed for
designer can provide these people. the citizens of this subcommunity to underscore the
importance of achievement for the benefit of themselves.
In response to this realization we have designed a After creating these more conceptual frameworks, we
workshop, reference documents, and a design charette will work with the citizens to provide a construction plan/
including possible solutions to some problems that they timeline so that they will see the results of their careful
will identify in the workshop and charette. We have planing and participation in a timely manner with the
changed our “professional” design solution to teaching support that they need.
as opposed to actual designing; we feel that it is the photo: open architecture network. women helping plan community.
54
The Workshop
The Workshop will bring together the informal community
in a forum-type environment that encourages both
learning about new appropriate technologies that are
being implemented around the world and that might
help the citizens, and the sharing of concerns, needs,
and ideas that they have. It will begin with a few
questions that encourage the residents to start thinking
about the needs of their community and the needs
of themselves. These brainstorming type sessions that
involve the residents are important in really building
what will benefit the citizens of the small community
best, combining a professional perspective with that of
the people who currently live there are know what is
needed. This blend will ensure that all problems are
addressed, and that they are addressed in the most
effective and well-researched way possible.
The Workshop
1. Asking all participants to name 3 things that
they would do to improve their community if they could
2. Asking all participants to name 3 things that they
would do to improve their individual lives if they could.
3. Asking the participants what they do now to
mitigate problems they have with their current built
environment.
4. Brainstorming any other issues at large the
community needs to solve.
5. The Designers present known “appropriate
technologies” and case studies being applied elsewhere
in the world and asking for feedback on what the
participants think of these technologies.
6. Discuss main interests, prepare these topics for
the Charette
photo: dominican literacy project
The Charette
The design charette will build on the workshop
brainstorming sessions and focus the efforts of the
citizens and the designer/consultants. It will involve
collaboration between the designers and residents to
find actual solutions to the problems earlier identified. In
order to prioritize the needs of the community, a design
competition will be held between citizen/designer
teams to find the 5 most important problem/solution
combinations. The top ideas will receive funding to
develop and implement the ideas, and will be decided
on by a panel of residents with a consulting designer
after the competition phase. The charette will serve as
a jumpstart to the competition.

After the planning, competition, and development

phases the designers and resident will reconvene to 55
begin construction. The designers will again provide a
consultative role and help in the construction progress.

The Charette

1. Identify the most common problems or problem

groups and begin brainstorming ways to solve them as
a large group.
2. Hold a design competition, Divide into small
groups with common main interests, and “design” &
develop plausible solutions further, with the help of a
design professional. Winning ideas will be funded &
small prize will be given.
3. Reconvene to find the best solutions to the outlined
problems
4. Rank problem/solution sets in order of urgency/
importance to help determine phasing of project.
5. Fund projects that are decided on by the
community
6. Help build. Provide references.
57
the resources
58
resources & case studies
bustan medwed clinic . boomerang house . housing
vocational school . dheisheh refugee camp. quinta
stove briquettes . justa stoves . composting latrines
on the margin (unbuilt) . safe(r) house . desi
59

monroy . bati-kay community center . street waste

. manual sleeve pumps . orchard . rooftop gardens
60
 61
bustan medwed clinic . wadi-naam, israel
The Bustan Medwed Clinic is a self-sustaining clinic
built for the once nomadic bedouin populations of
Wadi-Naam. The bedouins are now forced to live in a
shantytown without the benefit of infrastructure due to
their unrecognized status by any stratum of government.
The project was instigated by Bustan, a coalition of Jewish
and Arab designers, builders, academics, and farmers,
who recognized the severe need of this community. The
clinic is primarily constructed of straw bales, adobe, tires,
and polycarbonate sheeting. It is naturally ventilated,
gathers rainwater for watering the garden and trees,
and has a solar-powered refrigerator for medical
supplies. The project begins to bring environmental
justice to the people of Wadi-Naam. The success of this
clinic bodes well for interest in building a simple, self-
sustaining, highly functional community clinic to other
unplanned settlements around the world, including the
Dominican Republic.
 While the Boomerang house is a custom-designed house
built for one family as opposed to an efficient house made
of found objects, it does demonstrate the flexibility of a
green roof structure and the ability to be “off the grid”
in a climate similar to Santo Domingo’s. This home has
hybrid water and electrical systems: rainwater, catchments
and gray water reuse. The electrical is both on and off
grid, low voltage lighting, drawer 12v refrigeration,
solar panels and wind power sourced electricity. The
walls are built to resist a 8.0 magnitude earthquake.

. costa rica
62
boomerang house
63
 housing on the margin (unbuilt) . bangkok
64

The Thai government provided the Bangkok housing

projects modular framework and utilities and gave
responsibility to the residents for the envelope materials
and future expansion. With the primary structure in
place, it was easy for dweller to find the necessary
materials to create a skin comprised of tire rubber to
billboards. Similar to surrounding settlements, the nits
of the overall plan create various community spaces
to ease the problem of over-crowding. The homes are
joined in clusters that share bath houses and fresh water
spigots. These tactics have obvious benefits relating to
overcrowded informal settlements everywhere.
65
66
The Harvard Graduate School of Design set out to
design a house that would withstand tsunamis and
flooding while giving residents safety for a much lower
cost. The project goal was to build with local materials
and methods that were effective and easy to replicate.
These houses are made from four main elements; a
raised platform to facilitate water drainage, concrete
core structures provide higher resistance to incoming
tsunamis, woven partitions used for a ventilated skin
and a roof structure made of coconut wood rafter
with tin roofing materials or tiles. Additionally, the
various arrangements can create a freestanding unit
that can be constructed for larger public gatherings.
With a developed overall plan, the methods for

safe(r) house . sri lanka

67
68
 . rudropur, bangladesh
69
desi vocational school
In this electrical training school, traditional modes
of construction and local materials were used in
combination with modern technology. The school has
walls made of reinforced damp-proofed much and
bamboo. The intention of this building was to improve
the infrastructure to set an example of how local skills
can be utilized, showcasing the possibilities for future
construction in the region. “it is possible to design a
building that captures the local, traditional essence,
which is appropriate for our context, while giving new
language with the improved technique to our traditional
architecture in term of environmental sustainability...
The intention was to create an inter-cultural exchange
with the expectation that the young architects will be
able to carry their knowledge skills to other regions
of Bangladesh and the trained labor will be able to
us their skills to build other modern much houses in the
region” --Ar. Anna Heringer.
 . palestine state, israel
70
dheisheh refugee camp
The incorporation of color into the fabric of an
environment has many positive effect on attitude for
residents. In confining spaces such as barrios much of
the open space for greenery is taken by some form of
housing and the only available space is rooftops. A
rooftop garden is a way for residents to give life to
their dwelling and neighborhood in a resourceful and
practical way through color and plants. The cooling
effect provided by green roofs is another benefit. It
is important to find ways to bring commerce into the
barrio and the rooftop gardens provide one more way
to facilitate this need.
71
72
 . iquique, chile
73
quinta monroy
One of the most difficult things to plan for in slums
in future growth. In the case of Quinta Monroy,
the designers planned for both future growth and
community spaces with solid structures for the dwellings
in a U-shaped formation. The gaps are designed
specifically for the idea of future expansion for
residents. This strategy helps set space aside without
taking up the community space that the dwellings
surround. Another key to the design concept is to
allow for passive ventilation through the units. This
redevelopment of an informal settlement broke the
norms of relocating these settlements to the outside of
the city limits by keeping the residents in their original
location despite the high land value.
74
bati-kay community center . port-au-prince, haiti
75

The name Bati Kay is after the phrase “build house”

in the native Haitienne language, Kreyol. The project
involved the building of 50 homes and a community
center in Port-au-Prince Haiti. The community center was
created as a place for educational opportunities and as
a public space that was more “community space” rather
than “space without an owner”, giving the community
a social responsibility. The project was constructed by
America Solidaria, an NGO. It shows how successful
community space can be within refurbished informal
settlements if ownership of public space is given to the
community instead of left as “no man’s land”
 ABOU T M E

D R. S A I B HA S KA R RE D D Y
NA KKA

CEO, Geoecology Energy

Organisation (GEO)
Involved in
Environmental Sustainability,
Climate Change (Mitigation and
Adaptation), Energy and
Development aspects.
V IEW M Y C OM PL ET E PR OF IL E

> >

. port-au-prince, haiti
76
street waste stove pellets
The Bio-energy Program has made it a primary goal
DR . N . SA I BH A SK A R R E DDY A T 6 : 1 2 A M
0 C OM M EN T S
and eventually pressed, releasing the water and leaving
to create household energy by using nothing more than a cylinder block that is chopped into briquettes which are
biomass. This technology seeks to eliminate dependence then dried and sold as a far less expensive alternative
on energy produced by burning trees that in turn leads to wood and charcoal (around 2 cents each). While the
to deforestation. Biomass can be any number of things, bricks are being made, other workers patrol the streets,
including grass, straw, twigs, sawdust, rice and coffee collecting more waste throughout the neighborhood. The
husks, shells and peel, and any form of agricultural materials are then recycled for their designated use and
related waste (weeds, maize cobs, and stalks. other materials such as glass and plastics are recycled
and sold to pay employee’s wages. In a recent interview
On a special UN envoy to Haiti, former President Clinton Clinton stated, “It’s a way to fight environmental damage,
discovered the production of biomass waste paper and put people to work. It’s the kind of thing that has
pellets in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, shortly before the region the capacity to sweep the world.”
was hit by a devastating earthquake. The densified
waste “briquettes” are made with water, paper, sawdust,
a wooden mortar, a 32 ounce can, PVC pipe with holes
drilled around the sides, and a local pressing device. The
water, paper, waste, and sawdust are mixed together

2/11/2010 3:03 PM
77
 .
78
justa stoves central america
The Justa Stove, or Improved Lorena Stove is an efficient
stove that vents to the outside of a building. It has been
used in Central America for quite some time, and uses
contained fires to heat griddles or inset pots for maximum
efficiency due to lack of heat loss to air or thermal
masses. This is a way for families to conserve fuel, and
allows possibly toxic fumes to escape the building. The
decrease of indoor air pollution has shown to greatly
improve the health of women and children in locations
where stoves have been places instead of indoor fires
(National Resource Center for Non Formal Education,
4). The combination of increased health and decreased
expenses as well as the ease of construction of the stove
makes this a perfect choice for the settlement in Santo
Domingo.
 79

images: ashdenaawards.org
 composting latrines . cap hatien, haiti
80

Latrines are essentially toilets that do more with human to handle. Throughout the period of use, the box pit
waste that a traditional toilet or side of a building. The containing feces must be mixed with earth every-so-
waste is deposited into a dugout pit where the odors often; again this helps to reduce smell.
are pulled up and out through a double skin that is It has been found that wells within 50 meters of latrines
heated by the sun. Typically the outer skin material on have contained traces of the pathogenic organisms that
this southern side is made of a clear material that allows carry various diseases. Knowing this, we are placing
sun rays in and side walls that have a reflective surface plenty of distance between the latrines and wells located
continuously bounce the rays within the box to warm it throughout our site to improve the health conditions.
up even more.
Most latrines have two pits, one that is in use while the
other is not. When a pit is full of feces, the latrine ‘shifts’
above the other pit while the filled pit composts and
after one year is then removed from the pit to use as
fertilizer. Urine is separated from the feces to reduce
odor and can be used immediately as a fertilizer. The
purpose for waiting over a year is to allow the harmful
pathogenic organisms to die so that the box is safe
81
82
gaviotas manual sleeve pumps . gaviotas, bolivia
83

The principle of the double-sleeve pump used in

Gaviotas made it possible to get the same result of
pumping water from the earth by not making the task
so strenuous. Previously, the task of retrieving water
from a well required a great deal of effort and during
the dry season the water table would drop below the
normal hand-pump depth, resulting in residents drinking
potentially hazardous water. This new double-sleeve
pump lifted the light-weight sleeve of the pump instead
of the heavy piston. Better yet, even small children
could perform this pumping action and the women could
even use “their little finger.”
 plantain

84
orchard
A community orchard would be another way to generate
income for the informal settlement in Santo Domingo.
Tropical fruits grow well in Caribbean countries, and are
a common part of the local diet. These could provide
food for the settlement, shade walking paths, provide a
buffer between residences and the electrical plant, and
provide income for the barrio residents. Crops such as
Papayas, Plantains, and Avocados are often sold locally.
This single tactic would contribute to both economic and
environmental justice.
 85

papayas
86
rooftop gardens
Sod rooftops and rooftop gardens have been a part by ceiling materials. The rooftops would be accessed
of several different vernacular building cultures for by ladder, making this activity limited to younger
thousands of years. The technologies involved can be as generations. In a culture that often lives in extended
high or low-brow as desired or required for the project. families and reveres the elderly greater than our own,
The low spans required in residential housing makes this solution is still feasible despite limited access by the
roofs with a growing medium on top even more possible disabled.
because the weight is quickly and directly transferred
to the ground. The differences between a normal roof
and garden roof construction is not so great, as you can
see from the diagram above. A simple drainage layer,
filter, and growing medium are all that is required.
In the case of Santo Domingo, a border medium with
overflow drainage would also be part of the design in
cases of monsoon or hurricane. The family would grow
a garden on the roof to produce food either to sell or
eat & the garden would in turn cool the interior spaces
through evaporative cooling and lack of heat absorption
diagram: wikimedia commons.
 87

low-tech green roofs, faroe islands

88
89
the plan
90

beginning condition
 91

The goal of this project is to begin to bring the people of

The plan for the community design-build project begins
this informal settlement up far enough socioeconomically with educational workshops & charettes to put the
to the point where they are both self-sufficient and design in the hands of the community it is for. Then the
no longer isolated from the rest of society in Santo projects identified as most important through this project
Domingo. While it will require much effort on the part will be implemented in a phased plan, supported by
of the citizens of this area, it is important to give themdesign consulting, advice, and funding. The citizens will
the tools they need to achieve social, environmental, have the largest part in construction with support when
and economic justice without the intervention of outside needed. This plan supporting participation will teach the
groups. inhabitants of the informal settlement to be proactive in
their own futures, and give them hope & skills to actually
A framework of community support, economic create change for themselves long after the community
opportunity, education opportunities, and improved has been “renovated”.
health/hygiene will put the informal settlement on a more
level playing field with the rest of Santo Domingo as a The following pages are a proposed phasing plan with
community. When they can stop worrying about basic changes that we as a design team thought the clients
needs, they can spend more time advocating their rights would deem necessary. This is a suggestion/timeline for
as Dominicans and creating resources and opportunities the redevelopment of the community from a perceived
for themselves. perspective of the inhabitants.
92

phase 1

Phase one will last 1-2 months and involve the construction
of additional housing for families that will need to be
moved in the next phase. This will serve as permanent
housing eventually, but will act as a sort of hotel through
the construction process.
 93

phase 2

Phase two will last 3-8 months and involve the demolition
of some homes and the construction of public buildings.
The public buildings will be used as temporary housing
in addition to the previously added building while
construction is going on. Wells will be installed during
this phase, and preparations for future infrastructure,
such as surveying for the repair and expansion of the
storm drain system will occur during this phase.
94

phase 3

Phase three will last 5-12 months and involve the

placement of road & storm drain infrastructure,
demolition of old housing units, and the construction of
new. The axis will be established during this phase
 95

phase 4

Phase four will last 5-12 months and involve the finishing
of road & other construction. After demolition of
housing units & construction of new electricity will be
wired through the constructed buildings. Previously
built housing will be filled & the public buildings will
continue to operate as temporary housing. Bathhouses
will be constructed during this phase, where space is
available.
96

phase 5

Phase five will last 5-12 months and involve the finishing
of road & other construction. After demolition of
housing units & construction of new electricity will be
wired through the constructed buildings. Previously built
housing will be filled & the public buildings will continue
to operate as temporary housing. Bathhouses will finish
construction during this phase.
 97

phase 6

Phase six will last 5-12 months and involve the finishing
of road & other construction. After demolition of housing
units & construction of new electricity will be wired
through the constructed buildings. Public building will
be used as per their original intentions due to adequate
housing & the church will be consecrated. This is the
final phase.
98
dwelling
Molly’s Project 100-107 Jareds’s Project 109-118
99
100
Simple, Effective. This design was created as long-term housing
for inhabitants of a barrio in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic
as an alternative to the often unstable ad-hoc housing that existed
on the site. The units are designed to be easy to construct with
simple instruction by a professional, with the needs and wants
of the dwellers in mind. The dwellings surround a shared semi-
public plaza space which supplements their living space. The
thick rammed earth walls stay cool during the day and provide a 101
mass to radiate coolth during hours with the most intense sunshine.
The walls’ bamboo “pores” allow air to circulate within the wall
itself preventing a build-up of moisture in the humid tropical
climate. Wind/ventilation towers draw in cool air at night while
the warm air is being vented out the tower’s louvered openings.
Justa stoves are situated near large openings and vented to the
exterior to provide safe & efficient cooking options. Intensive
green roofs serve as family gardens providing food while serving
as an evaporative cooling mechanism for the structures. Walls
are shared in between units to conserve resources and keep as
few exterior walls as possible exposed to the sun.
102

The dwellings surround a shared semi-public plaza space

which supplements their living space. The thick rammed earth walls
stay cool during the day and provide a mass to radiate coolth
during hours with the most intense sunshine.
103
 The hurricane shutters serve as awnings when there is not threat of a hurricane or tropical
104
storm. The two layer plywood construction can be braced against hurricane force winds by
the metal poles that normally support it. The shutters are painted according to personal taste
of the inhabitants to protect the wood from water damage. A sliding screen door embedded
in the walls allows for greater privacy while still ventilating the space during night hours when
the weather calls for the awnings to be left up through the night. A lighter rammed earth wall
near the center of most units acts as the base for the wind towers, space divider, and additional
support for the green roof.
 105

va ti o n / S e c tion Isometric
Ele
ive V e n ti la tion Diagram
Pass
 hurricane shutter closed & braced
106

hurricane shutter open

 growing medium
stabilizing mesh
aggregate

perforated bamboo drain tubes

2-ply offset corrugated metal
structural bamboo purlins
tie rod

bamboo “wall pores”

rammed earth walls

107

wall & roof detail

 An earth dwelling is inexpensive and keeps the interior
spaces cool in the heat of the region throughout the year.
The thermal mass heats up slowly during the day and
releases heat during the evening.

This method of construction has been used for centuries and

is easy to construct. Using 80% earth, 11% cement/clay,
and 9% water; this combination has a high compressive
strength and the potential to last hundreds of years. The
process begins by creating a formwork about 5’ x 10’, fill
with five to ten inches of mix, use a pneumatically powered
108 tamper to pack the mix to 50% of original height and
continue to the desired height of the wall.
109
 The passive ventilating planter provides
opportunities for the residents to grow food
and stay cool within their dwelling. A small 6’
x 4’ opening is made in the concrete deck and
the planter is placed to allow for air circulation
into and out of the structure.

110
The wind tower has openings on each of
the four sides to allow for maximum air
flow from every direction, using convection
to pull warm air up. Because the side-by-
side units are shifted, the towers do not
east elevation
interfere with one another.

111

south elevation

west elevation
112
This first phase of design needed to be efficient and easy
to build. Rammed earth is easy to control and construct; so
these initial buildings of the phase create simple spaces that
make spaces that can be utilized effectively.

113
114
A sense of welcoming and openness were thought of for the
entry condition. By using both a hinged exterior screen and
an interior wall, the space can be secured and open from
the inside. The large openning can also be used for a small
family market storefront to sell goods.

115

116
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