November 2015 SUS participates in Pilot project Haïti

Gert BreugemNews

November 2015

SUS participates in Pilot project Haïti

Introduction
At the end of the summer 2014, XCOOP was commissioned a project in Haiti consisting of 30 homes for 30 families by De Mobiele Fabriek. The new construction would be using the QBRIXX system, bricks made out of construction debris and stacked like LEGO blocks. Our client, Mr. Joel Dresse, indicated a site North of Port-au-Prince as the area for the future dwellings of 30 of his workers.

Concept
The main concept for this project was to create a community interacting within itself and with its surrounding area where commercial and educational activities could encourage on site.
While developing the plan, however, it became apparent that the Client’s intention was not develop a “state-of-the-arts” slum but rather to generate an environment for an emerging low-middle class Haitian clientele. The new residents would live in a safe and enclosed community where private space and public area are well defined and separated. Due to the increased quality and the dimension of the site, the proposal would host 22 houses rather than the initially calculated 30. At present, the Masterplan and the various dwellings’ layout is delineated.

Masterplan with guidelines for sustainable development
The existing vegetation and terrain landscape is, for the most part, preserved and each individual house allows for some degree of extension. Roads are kept to the minimum hence favoring pedestrian movement and maximizingn lots surface and green public spaces. The smaller dwellings (60m2) are arranged together in a row in case families want to join spaces in the future while the 80 and 100m2 homes are located on a larger lot that concedes size increase if desired. From a sustainable point of view, the Masterplan reflects the natural elements by having the houses oriented toward the prevailing winds (natural ventilation) and to get max solar exposure (solar panels). Soil and rain water ought to be collected through individual tanks or collective systems. Most importantly, the main construction is sustainable, innovative and takes advantage of local resources: collecting construction debris and re-cycle it in the construction of this project is a remarkable environmental and social action. Impact on the environment is reduced and future residents can participate in the construction of their own dwellings.
SUS participates in this pilot project by offering expertise on inclusive and integrated planning and projectmanagement.