Final Site Design Proposal

Final Site Plan

In designing a site proposal, our new team wanted to synthesize the strengths of our previous schemes. This amalgamation of concepts, drivers and priorities eventually yielded a site plan that would be practical, beautiful and functional. Above all, we wanted to design according to the human scale, ensuring a meaningful connection between the inhabitants of this development and the built environment. While many things drove our design, there were three concepts that impacted decisions more than others. First, to create a strong sense of community; second, to provide a sense of order that is easily understood and clearly recognizable; and third, to design universally, allowing all people to utilize every feature of the site.

Courtyard PerspectiveThe shared courtyard was the primary avenue with which community was emphasized. We believe that every community needs a tool to enhance social interaction, and that this interaction is necessary and beneficial for every resident. An elongated courtyard ensures a relationship to the pedestrian path that winds through the site, thus connecting the residents to others that may not live within their cluster of homes. By placing the main entrance to the home on the inside of the courtyard, social interaction is optimized and community is created.

 Order vs Organic

We recognized that in a nation that has just experienced tragedy, creating a sense of order would be paramount. Often times, the perception of order is equated with security and safety, so we sought to develop a clearly organized, rigidly executed site plan with one moment of break from that system. The streets (vehicular circulation) were forced to snap to a grid that established the footprint of our blocks, while the pedestrian path to the west of the homes was allowed to break that geometry and follow the natural topography of the land. This breaking of the system allowed for ultimate convenience while one moves through the site. The organic pedestrian path was not a matter of preference, but one of convenience and livability. We sought to create a development that catered to the everyday lives and activities of its residents, rather than to the chance visit by a passerby.

Pedestrian Bridge

In order to allow the development to be utilized by the maximum number of people, we decided that universal design would need to be decision driver. As mentioned earlier, the organic pedestrian pathway was a response to convenience and livability, because half of this development will be inhabited by Ex-patriots who are returning to Haiti to retire. This meant that minimal elevation change along walkways and paths was absolutely essential. The easiest and most inexpensive way to accomplish this was to allow the path to follow the natural topography of the land, creating the organic shape seen above. This ideology was even carried into the design of the footbridge that will span the stream that cuts the site in two. It connects the two points on site that have the least elevation change, allowing for ease of access and continual usage. In addition, the elevated bridge allows for phenomenal views and an unparalleled experience within the site.

These values are not only crucial to a successful masterplan of the site, but are also crucial to the design of the individual homes. Ultimately, our duty is to serve people as best we can. By recognizing exactly what people need and desire in a home, we are able to respond through design and create a space that will be livable, beautiful and enjoyable.

Gallery of Presentation Drawings and Key Images

Site Analysis: Hydrology

Haiti: First Design Proposal

­Design Proposal:

Changing density

Creating a small shared community space

Going with the topo

Using rainwater for washing/plumbing

Residential over commercial spaces

Keeping the site pedestrian friendly

Making sure the housing has equal amounts of outdoor living space and indoor living space

            Our design proposal for the site in Haiti encompasses five goals that we set for the site.  The first goal is to create a density gradient that begins whenever you enter the site at the commercial zone.  The buildings there would be two-stories and be a continuous block to give the sense of a main street. From there, the buildings will drop to one story and state to break off from each other.  The second goal was to create many shared community spaces throughout the site. The community space starts out as a large pedestrian way that will merge with a shared street and start defining other small spaces throughout the site.  Thirdly, we wanted to follow the natural terrain while laying out the site.  We tried to accomplish this by having the topography of the site mandate where the building would be set.  As our fourth goal, we wanted to incorporate sustainable features into the design.  We allowed room for carports to collect rainwater, the ability to add photovoltaic panels to be added to the buildings, and to have some sort of wind powered generator.  As our last goal, we tried to make sure that we had an equal and balanced amount of outdoor living space and indoor living space.  Together we expect these goals to create an open, green, pedestrian friendly site that allows the cohabitants enough room to carry out their social gatherings and still practice their own culture. 

 

TEAM B SITE ANALYSIS

TEAM B SCHEMATIC SITE PLAN  

TEAM B DRAFT 2

 DRAFT 1

Goth Angario Village Precedent:

Located in the Sindh Province of Pakistan, Goth Angario is a small village that has only been in existence for 45 years. In the summer of 2010, it was severely damaged by flooding. A reconstruction project was brought to the spotlight with Architecture for Humanity's Karachi Chapter and Karachi Relief Trust.  "The population lives in deplorable conditions, with minimum or no infrastructure, water or sanitation facilities" (Architecture for Humanity).Because of this, they focused on several main categories of interest:

- Communal Layouts within several clusters

- Pathway construction

- Drainage/Septic tank/water supply :  Overhead tanks to supply housing units with running water

- Conversion of hand pumps into electric pumps

- Use of local materials

We found that several of these problems and ways of handling them were quite helpful when relating back to the Haiti project we are analyzing and designing for. They layout of the overall community was quite spectacular and interesting to the culture, which directly related to the culture of Haiti as well. The clusters could be an opportunity for family members to stay close, or a way for villagers to become closer with one another, each sharing a communal space in the center.

Separating livestock from the villagers (pathways & placement) was a very important part of their analysis. The placement of septic tanks and water tanks was a very valuable reference to look at. Both of these would immediately help with the hygiene and sanitation conditions of the previous state of the village. 

The use of local materials and local villagers to build and design not only improved the immediate economical conditions, but also gave the villagers an opportunity to interact and bond with each other. 

Because many of the conditions in this region of Pakistan are consistent to that of the region of Haiti we are designing in, several of the aspects explored above could be applicable and definitely require further research.

Below: Septic Tank and Seepage Pit built by local workers: 

Photo from Architecture for Humanity

Below: A verandah built to serve as a shelter, yet outdoor space for the villagers:

Photo from Architecture for Humanity

Below: A picture showing the individual housing units, and although different in size, they shared very similar properties with one another.

Photo from Architecture for Humanity

Pictures and Information gathered from: Architecture for Humanity Website:

http://architectureforhumanity.org/     ( http://architectureforhumanity.org/node/2142 )