Haiti : House for
Life defines the basic need for human shelter with the concept that Caribbean residences must last a lifetime. The design is
structurally sound and is flexible to meet
International Building Code requirements while allowing for varying forms of sustainable construction methods and different
construction price points depending on the
property owner, family size and site conditions. For this prototype installation, the team decided to use a steel
re-inforced concrete block masonry building
system which has proven to be a very sustainable building system. As
demonstrated on the team’s structural model
on a RISA 3D structural modeling program, the curved is continually self-bracing. Modeling studies
show the use of a continuous bond beam which
adds rigidity throughout the form.
The premise of the concept is to have a
prototype that is as functionally self-sustaining as possible. We have included elevated cisterns
provides rainfall catchment with gravity
feed to units on the ground floor. Electrical pumps powered by solar
panels are to be installed on the roofing.
Electrical power for lighting is to be provided with inverter boxes tied to solar panel on roofs. Solar
water heaters to be installed on roofing to
allow for heated water. Exterior areas to cultivate fruit and
vegetable gardens, park area and children
playgrounds. All sewage lines to be sent to artificial wetlands and/or sewage treatment
plants.
The design also
celebrates Haitian culture with architectural detailing that is
considered exclusively Haitian and is
reminiscent of West Africa forms from which 90% of Haiti ’s people are descendants. “Adding the fenestration
and other Haitian architectural details to
our Haiti : House for Life will hopefully encourage personal attachment for
each owner and encourage inclusion of the
artist community,” says Nicole Hollant-Denis, President, AARRIS
Architects, in her own words.
Haiti: House for Life was designed by St. Croix Architect Gerville R. Larsen, A.I.A. and New York Architect Nicole Hollant-Denis. Mr. Larsen and Ms. Hollant-Denis were classmates at Cornell University.Competition funded by the Republic of Haiti and the Clinton Foundation.
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