Download - Haitian Housing Solution
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?
Source: Engineering2Empower
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?
Source: Engineering2Empower
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
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
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