Open Architecture Network

PROJECT DESCRIPTION:

THE RECENT EARTHQUAKE IN NORTHERN PAKISTAN DEVASTATED THE HOMES AND LIVES OF HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE. THE NEED FOR SIMPLE,INSULATED, AND STRUCTRUALLY SOUND HOMES IS URGENT CONSIDERING THE SEVERE HIMALAYAN WINTER. THESE PROPOSED DWELLINGS ARE TO BE BUILT PARTLY FROM THE LEFT OVER PIECES OF THE DIASASTER—EXTERIOR CLADDING CAN BE CONSTRUCTED FROM DEBRIS,AND SMALL WOOD STRUCTURAL MEMBERS CAN BE SALVAGED TO FRAME HOUSES.

THE HOMES ARE BASED ON A SIX FOOT SQUARE PLAN THAT ALLOWS FOR A NUMBER OF BASIC SHAPES. THESE BASIC PLANS CAN BE EXPANDED OR ARRANGED FOR AN OPTIMAL COMMUNITY CONFIGURATION. PLYWOOD, BUILDING PAPER, AND A FIRE PROOF INTERIOR SHEATHING CAN BE CUT TO THE STANDARD SIZES AND THEN ERECTED QUICKLY. FIBERGLAS INSULATION, FABRIC, OR PAPER CAN BE STUFFED INBETWEEN THE WOOD FRAME AND LATERAL BRACING TO OFFER PROTECTION FROM THE COLD AND THE UNSTABLE EARTH.