Reflection in the Aftermath

ASSIGNMENT #3

After our visit to Haiti, we were able to reflect on the things we saw and experienced. Through these reflections, we analyzed many components of the project and found the most prominent things that have changed in our minds since the visit. The first of these things that will profoundly change our project is the need to preserve the vegetation on the site. Not only are the existing elements beautiful, but they also create and frame important views for the site as well as create a natural canopy in which to shield the future development from harsh direct sunlight. 

The next element we understood to much greater depth after visiting is the slope of the site. In the first phases of design, we were envisioning the site with a slope but nothing very dramatic. In reality we found the slope of the ravine to be impractical to build on and with very thick vegetation, something we need to work with and not against. 

The last element that was clarified on our trip was the necessary relationship between indoor and outdoor space. Before we travelled to Fond-des-Blancs, we were informed that porches area very necessary element to the lifestyle of the Haitian people due to the shade it offers. We were also imagining a larger outdoor kitchen and dining area for the homes we would design. We found this to be untrue. Though porches are extremely necessary to their lifestyle, it is not in the way we view porches here. The porch of a home should be viewed as an actual room of the house and is where most of the social interaction takes place. The porch is used more as a living room and the living room is actually a much more private place where only good friends and family would be invited. We also found that, although there is a lot of outdoor charcoal cooking, Fond-des-Blancs wishes to move to a more efficient indoor electric kitchen and the dinning would be contained within the home.

With all that being said, the trip to Haiti proved to be extremely beneficial to our design process. We were able to discover elements within the culture and the site that we would have otherwise neglected to realize. We are optimistic about ability to further develop our project with a greater understanding of the Haitian culture and site conditions.

Our Experience

ASSIGNMENT #2

CULTURE

From the minute our plane landed in Port-au-Prince, we knew that our experience in Haiti was going to change us. In the short walk from the plane to the bus that would take us to Fond-des-Blancs, our senses were flooded with the unfamiliar. All around us we could hear voices speaking a language we did not know, the feel of the hot air heavy with moisture and the ground of large crushed rock beneath us, and most vividly of all: the smell which was somewhere between the heavy remnants of gunpowder and the deep smokiness of burning wood. 

Our journey from Port-au-Prince to Fond-des-Blancs was nothing if not memorable. After a mere four-hour trip (on a road that could otherwise be defined as a construction site with an opposing car attempting to play chicken about once every five minutes) we arrived unscathed at our destination. Upon arrival we proceeded to eat our meal outside at night with very little light and retire to bedrooms where the "windows" were, in actuality, nothing but holes in a concrete wall. 

Prior to our trip, we were prepared for things such as very little electricity and no running water, but it is things like the scent of the air, the conditions of the roads, and the holes in the walls that everyone failed to mention. Perhaps it is because electricity and running water seem to be the most important things that we, as Americans, would suffer the greatest loss. However it is the voices we heard, the scents we smelled, and the people and architecture we saw that began to shape our view of a culture. Through elements such as these, we begin to experience a profound change within ourselves in relationship to the people of Fond-des-Blancs.

It is impossible to explain something like culture, with all of its depths, to someone that has not experienced it themselves. Before our trip we had researched, heard first hand accounts, and viewed images of Haiti to the point that we believed we were adequately prepared for the trip. In truth, we were completely blind. The ways in which the people of Haiti live their lives was so beyond the scope through which we were looking. People riding four to a motorcycle, tying up their livestock just about anywhere you can think of, riding donkeys to the river to collect water, and selling anything from rice to a telephone in the market, are all things that quickly became familiar to us.

It is so hard to grasp the culture of a place so completely different from our own. Looking at it from where we stand now, even after visiting, it is hard to imagine ourselves living the way the people of Haiti do, and being able to thrive in such conditions. But in a way, it is also so peaceful. Yes, they have to walk to the spring to collect water, do laundry in the river, and potentially walk miles to get to the market, yet the way they live, though difficult, is simple. They do what they have to do to survive yet they still maintain close family ties and friendships with one another and are, for the most part, simply happy. 

We cannot wait to create a community in Fond-des-Blancs that will offer not only housing, but opportunity to the people that reside their. Though our views have changed since we travelled to Haiti, our understanding of the country is much deeper and our love for it is much stronger. We are so excited for this opportunity and cannot wait to be a part of such a special project. We love Haiti! 

SITE OVERVIEW

After investigating the site for several hours on Saturday, we realized that our overall site design would actually work quite well, given the existing site conditions.  We began our tour of the site at the northern end where the initial housing would be placed.  After walking down into the river basin, we realized how important the approach from the river would be.  Continuing through the site and across the stream, we immediately noticed much of the land on the western side of the stream was extremely steep and not buildable.  Crossing the stream back to the main part of the site, we noted a rocky outcrop that could potentially become a location for the footbridge.  Upon entering the lower leg of the site we realized that much of this area was relatively flat and buildable.  This would be the area where we would place a large amount of our housing, utilizing the flat landscape.  Approaching the proposed commercial area, near the road on the southern end of our site, we sought shelter from the sun under the canopy of large palm trees.  We had previously dismissed the importance of these trees; upon seeking refuge under their canopy we unanimously decided to keep these trees in our design proposal and utilize the shade they provide for a public space.  

SITE ANALYSIS

We were assigned the task of determining soil infiltration rates around the site.  Provided with a base map with various locations we began work.  The process was simple; dig a hole approximately 6” x 6” x 6”, fill it with water, record the amount of time required for the hole to completely drain.  We preformed this process at nine locations around the site, which represented various soil conditions.  The data from each point was recorded and is represented in the map we created.  We realized there is very little clay soil on our site, and the majority of the test holes contained a silty soil or a combination of silt and sand in the soil.  Our findings will affect where our field lines and sewage systems will be located, as well as, where drainage from the site can be filtered and returned to the water table safely.

Reflection & Next Steps

Traveling to Haiti gave us a whole new perspective on life, culture, construction, climate, and all kinds of other local conditions. It was a truly humbling and life changing experience. We could go on and on about key issues we were able to identify, but we've chosen the ones that are most relevant to our project:

Local Materials / Construction Technologies:

When designing in any unfamiliar context, it is always important to look at local construction practices, available materials, and feasibility of access/transportation. Being wise about your material palate is mandatory when designing in these conditions. Concrete and masonry were pretty much the norm.. Concrete block are often cast on site, making transportation to remote locations much easier. There was hardly any glass on the structures we saw. Rather, vent blocks were used. These allow cross ventilation, and cooperate well with the wall assembly module. Like blocks, they can be cast on site as well.

Vent blocks: the local standard for ventilation and openings in Haitian construction. Photo by Zach Smith

Shade, Light, and Ventilation:

Lack of air-conditioning is the standard in almost all of Haiti. This makes solar orientation, aperture sizing, shading methods extremely important. Haitian construction utilizes vent block, or hollow cmu shapes, for window construction. If planned well and placed correctly, these may also contribute to cross ventilation. Shade is another thing to strive for. Haiti is very hot almost all year round. Planning using solar orientation is an important part of construction. Deep overhangs are also a way to provide shade to openings in the structure.

Open air vent block in Haitian classroom. Photo by Zach Smith

Porch and Community

We quickly became aware that the porch of a Haitian house is usually the most important "room" of any residence. Our clients mentioned that almost all gatherings at one's house took place on their porch. Through our design, we must look for a way to give hierarchy to this important space in Haitian culture.

Porch area in Fond-des-Blancs home. Photo by Cassidy Barnett

Privacy

While the Haitian People had a strong sense of community, privacy was also a significant thing. The idea of having one's own property was very important to people there. Almost all the property lines in Fond des Blancs we marked off with rows of cacti. In a country were everyone has very little, the people are very proud of the things they do possess.

Local privacy fence with wooden gate entrance. The actual fences are cacti. Photo by Cassidy Barnett

Pragmatic, Sustainable Construction Practices

What we American's know as "style" is not as high of a priority in a country like Haiti. We must find ways to create architecture with a sustainable material palate, without being wasteful or inefficient. We must find ways to building sustainably in a country that often doesn't have the luxury to use green technologies.

Concrete blocks cast on site. Photo by Zach Smith

Next Steps

Photo by Morgan Oiler

Our experience in Haiti by far exceeded our expectations. To learn about a culture and to experience that culture results in summation that your research is only a single story. Preconceived notions are either proved true or false. To our advantage, though, we are able to elaborate on or reevaluate design concepts from our initial approach based on the proving of these notions. As a group we chose to elaborate on the porch concept and reevaluate the kitchen  concept. 

 

 Photo by Morgan Oiler

While in Haiti, our classmates built relationships within our studio and with Haitians that probably would not have existed otherwise. In a sense, we became a family, through gathering and socializing, through laughter and silence. These interactions somehow always took place on or within the realm of the porch. Therefore, our group took initiative to analyze the key factors contributing to or causing this observation. We determined that everyone always migrated toward the porch for several reasons.

1. shade
2. seating
3. views of surrounding environment

We also observed that the porch was never big enough for a large group gathering. Only several people could enjoy this space. Hence, moving forward, we will take this analysis into consideration and develop a stronger design for the "porch concept".

 

 Photo by Morgan Oiler

Before our excursion, as a studio, we believed that cooking outside was a way of life in the Haitian culture. From our understanding, the Haitians were used to that lifestyle and perhaps it gave them great pleasure to do so. However, through interviewing Jean and Joy Thomas, we discovered that some Haitians were only prepared food outside by choice. Kitchens are still needed in the home and should not be designed to enhance the outdoor cooking tradition. Instead the kitchen should be considered another room indoors. In this urban alternative community, cooking outside should be viewed as a plan B, in case gas stoves cannot be powered. Moving forward in our scheme, we have to reevaluate this notion in order to satisfy our clients and improve the overall master plan to include these design aspects. This, in turn, creates constraints that conclude in creative solutions, which motivates our team.

Visit to Fond-des-Blancs, Haiti

Culture

Upon arrival to Fond-des-Blancs, after a 4 hour bus ride that covered only about 70 miles, we knew we were in for a culture shock. The comforts of home, like readily available water, electricity, air conditioning, etc, were nowhere to be found. The house we stayed was connected to a generator to provide some of these things, but only for about an hour a day.

Group gathered outside Jean and Joy's guest house (where we stayed). Photo by Cassidy Barnett

During our daily activities, most of which consisted of walking or hiking, we were able to witness the daily life of the Haitian people living in Fond-des-Blancs. Although we were able to witness, it was very hard for us to relate to and understand. For some, much of the day was spent traveling (by foot or donkey) to gather clean water, which often came from nearby streams. In the same streams, sheep, chickens, donkeys, and cattle drank while the women washed their clothing in it.

Local women washing their clothing in the stream. Fond-des-Blancs, Haiti. Photo by Cassidy Barnett

The market was an unforgettable experience, in many aspects. There were no storefronts, credit card machines, or cash registers. Many items were laid out on a cloth on the dirt, while some had wooden tables under a tent. Women worked and sold most of the items at market, while men and women of all ages crowded the market’s main cross-section.

Fond-des-Blancs market. Photo by Zach Smith

We stuck out worse than a sore thumb. Unlike in the city, where aid relief and tourism is common, many people of Fond-des-Blancs rarely see groups of white people.

Some of our group walking through the market. Photo by Zach Smith

Fond-des-Blancs market. Photo by Zach Smith

Motorcycles and cell phones were a phenomena that it still a mystery to us. In a country where people barely have enough money to eat and drink clean water, they have cell phones and many have motorcycles.

Photo by Zach Smith

Many of these cultural aspects are foreign and hard for many of us to understand. As we returned home, we felt as though we had a good understanding of daily life and living quarters of the people of Fond-des-Blancs, Haiti. 

Site Overview

During our site visits, it was immediately apparent to us that the parameters of the site were smaller than we had envisioned. The west side of the site has slopes on each side of the stream much steeper than we originally thought. The vegetation is lush, with many different types of trees and shrubs.

Site boundary at stream crossing. Photo by Cassidy Barnett

A group palm trees at the front of the site creates a natural shaded area.

Palm trees. Photo by Cassidy Barnett

There are also several cleared-out areas, as seen below.

Photo by Zach Smith