Haitian Housing Solution

Giuliano

Geronymo

Kate

Kincaid

Amanda

Murphy

Dan

Courtney

EARTHQUAKE RESISTANT

HOUSING IN HAITI

On January 12, 2010,

7.0 earthquake

300,000 people died

1.3 million Haitians

lost their homes

BACKGROUND ON 2010 EARTHQUAKE

Source: Engineering2Empower

Heavy concrete block

structures

Lack of beams and reinforcing

steel to tie walls together

The columns were too small

Poor concrete aggregates

WHY DID HOMES IN HAITI FAIL?


Some stay in emergency tent shelters

Tarp walls easily broken into

Others were selected for ‘permanent’ plywood housing

Overheats and rots

Others rebuilt homes destroyed by quake

Repeated risk

WHAT BECOMES OF DISPLACED FAMILIES?


To propose a model home using local

materials for low income Haitian families

which is both affordable and secure.

PROPOSAL

Natural Resources: Bauxite, Copper, Calcium

Carbonate, Gold, Marble,

Hydropower

Complete deforestation

Lack of steel

Concrete is ABUNDANT

RESOURCES

Haiti

Dominican

Republic

Source: nationalgeographic.com

80% in poverty

Poor water quality

Problems with waste

disposal

Soil: Mountainous soils are thin and

quickly lose fertility when

cultivated

Lower hills are covered with red

clay and loams

Deforestation has led to erosion

CONSTRAINTS

Source: wehaitians.com

Earthquakes

Seasonal Flooding

Hurricanes

Haiti receives an

annual rainfall of

130 – 180 cm

CLIMATE AND NATURAL HAZARDS

Source: greatdream.com

Drawing by Giuliano Geranymo

Dome geometry

7 m diameter, 3.5 m height

Strong, self supporting shape

Disaster resistant hurricane, earthquake, vandalism

Keeps out rain

Cost effective

Built quickly

Energy efficient

Ferrocement requires less cement

FERROCEMENT DOME

Drawing by Giuliano Geronymo

Rain gutter wraps around a portion of the dome

55 gallon drum

Used for laundry, cooking, cleaning

RAINWATER COLLECTION

Photo by Erin Potter

WATER PURIFICATION

Source: cawst.org

Recycled Solar Light Bulb

• Recycled water bottles

• Water + chlorine + bleach

• Replaced every 5 years

Source: dornob.com

Cooling Vent

• Vents near the floor allow cool air into the home

• Vent in ceiling allows hot air to escape

• Ferrocement cap prevents rain leaks Source: inhabitat.com

Concrete $197

Chicken Wire $43

Rebar $102

Cooling and Lighting Fixtures $5

Rain Gutter and Collection Tank $200

Biosand Filter $15

TOTAL $562*

FIXED COSTS [$USD]

* The average Haitian income is $480 per year.

Cost of Home $562

Average Annual Income $480

Feasible Spending on Housing 20%

Years to Pay Off House 6

2 options for home financing

Create a savings plan

Receive a micro-loan

MICRO-FINANCING

Center for Affordable Water and Sanitation Technology

CIA World Factbook - Haiti

Engineering2Empower

Haiti Outreach

Open Architecture Network

Barefoot Banking

Haiti : Enchantment of the World

SOURCES USED

Haitian Housing Solution

Documents