New York, N.Y. On January 12, 2011, on the first anniversary of the earthquake in Haiti in which more than 250,000 died, four housing designs to assist in the rebirth of Haiti were presented to the public at the AIA-NY Global Dialogues Committee reception, hosted by the Center for Architecture reception in New York.
The four final designs were the collective efforts of a group of dedicated architects from around the world who came together in an amazing international and electronic outpouring of faith to submit dozens of proposals for affordable housing to rebuild Haiti.
The collective efforts were condensed through charrettes into four final designs announced the evening of the anniversary. The collective name of these homes is the "Haiti Housing Collaborative." More than $25,000 was raised at the reception in cash and pledges for their immediate construction in Haiti.
Carolyn Sponza, AIA, LEED AP, is a member of the Global Dialogues Committee and has been helping to organize the project from abroad during her studies in London. Carolyn told me:
As an architect, it was inspiring to see how design professionals from all over the world answered this call for collaborative design. Many had not been to Haiti, but extended their design skills so they could help in some way.
Theodore Liebman, FAIA, architect/planner with Perkins Eastman,
chaired one of the charrettes leading up to the final four designs.
Theodore Liebman, FAIA, principal with Perkins Eastman International, stated at the Jan. 12 event:
On January 8, an extraordinary group of jurors consisting of architects, engineers, a marine biologist, an entrepreneur-developer-philanthropist, artists and student interns gathered in this room to review, and advance 12 concepts into the four solutions we are seeing glimpses of now. That wonderful day became, in fact, a true global dialogue.
The jury deliberated and deliberated and combined and refined the best ideas on building materials, construction techniques, sustainability, privacy and community, work and play, transition to permanent housing for our neighbors in Haiti.
Diane Chehab is a member of the Global Dialogues Committee, and currently works at N.Y.C. Housing Authority. Diane told me, "This event was memorable and touching. Now it's time to raise funds, so the efforts of these international teams of architects are not in vain, and we build these homes!"
The AIANY GDC’s "Haiti Housing Collaborative" announced its Call for Collaborative Design in the fall 2010. Architects, engineers, designers and thinkers across the globe responded to donate their talents and resources. The call was to provide vernacular housing prototypes for construction across the various environments that compose Haiti’s rural landscape.
Motoko Shoboji, AIA, LEED AP, is a member of the Global Dialogues Committee and has helped with both design charrettes and fundraising events. Motoko told me, "It was amazing to work with such talented and passionate architects and designers from all over the world both in person and through emails and video conferences. This was a first step, but a very important first step."
The GDC Haiti Housing Collaborative is committed to building the four homes in Haiti. Funds raised are to be used towards their construction with Humanity 4 Haitian Development (hfhd) in Grand Goâve. In addition, Orphans International Worldwide (OIWW) has pledged to replicate the homes at their own expense to house the extended family of orphaned children in Léogâne. A third set may rise in Petite Goâve through the cooperation of the Haitian-American Relief Fund.
Phase II of the GDC project will be to work with community leaders in Grand Goâve, Petite Goâve, Léogâne, and anywhere else the homes are needed, tailoring the structures to the specific local environment and conditions. Volunteers coordinated by the Haiti Housing Collaborative are standing by to assist with this process that will result in the first 8-12 homes being built in Haiti in 2011. The team will teach Haitians how to build these prototypes themselves.
More than 100 people braved the blizzard to attend Jan. 12 anniversary event.
These homes will stand as prototypes for practical and culturally responsive housing in Haiti. Sadly, much of the planned construction for the ravaged nation’s one million tent residents is trailer-like ‘little boxes.’ The Haiti Housing Collaborative will provide resources and professional assistance to move as many Haitians from refugee camps to real homes as possible.
In addition to earthquake and hurricane proof, each home of Haiti Housing Collaborative has been designed to be cost-effective and replicable. Each prototype home is planned for construction costs under $5,000, while a mass roll-out of the homes is estimated to cost as little as $1,000 each.
"The passion behind this global effort is extraordinary," said Cynthia Artin, a volunteer for HHC. "Now we must expand this passion and engage communities to help raise funds to build the houses; when we prove the model out, we can scale it not only in Haiti, but in other parts of the world, including the U.S., and be prepared to move when disaster strikes."
Noushin Ehsan, AIA, chairs AIA-NY Global Dialogues Committee.
The AIA-NY Global Dialogues Committee is chaired by Noushin Ehsan, AIA. Its active membership for Haiti Housing Collaborative is listed here. The names of the final twelve designs are listed here. The reception included participation from a wide sector of society. Learn how to make a tax-deductible contribution to help build these homes here.
Noushin told me:
Given Haiti’s complex social and economic issues, the team knew that no single-minded design approach could solve Haiti’s housing crisis. Therefore, we created a dynamic program which attracted the participation of architects and designers from over 15 countries.
The entire process was truly a collaborative effort between architects, engineers, social workers and local Haitians. Through a full day charette held between the 12 chosen designers and a panel of expert jurors, who worked tirelessly, the best elements of each submission were combined and four final designs were created.
As great as these designs are, we fully understand that they will undergo further modification with the help of locals who will build it themselves.
Noushin further added, "The five mottos behind our program are: Innovation (in design), Demonstration (in teaching locals), Motivation (in engaging the community), Replication (in fostering replication of the prototypes) and Transparency (in the use of funds). We have done our part and will continue to do our best to alleviate Haiti’s housing crisis. Now we need YOU to do your part and contribute funds."
Photos courtesy of filmmaker Li Wong. Catering was provided by Dudley & Grafton.
See further:
AIANY Global Dialogues Committee (AIANY GDC)
Huffington Post: Architects Announce Six Final Plans for Haiti Housing Collaborative
Stewardship Report: Orphans International Worldwide Haiti to Begin Family Care Housing
The Examiner: Who Says Haiti is Beyond Help?
Jim Luce on Haiti
Jim Luce on International Development
