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FEASIBILITY

 

  • Construction Time: 2-4 weeks

  • Quality Control: 1 concrete mix, reusable formwork (dimensionally fixed), reinforcement requires oversight/guidance

  • Ease of Construction: Typical of concrete construction; primary considerations: proper placement of reinforcement particularly around openings, concrete consolidation, achieving continuous pour

  • Ease of Expansion: Walls cannot be adapted, but windows can be converted into doors (requires cutting concrete)

  • Ease of Codification: Employs standard reinforced concrete construction practices

  • Required Crew Size: 4-6

  • Required Infrastructure: Ready mix plant

  • Required Tools: Manual labor with power hand tools, access to ready mix plant, concrete trucks, pump trucks 

  • Required Skill Level: Standard mason, operators of concrete mixer and pump trucks

RESILIENCY

 

  • Earthquakes: Can be detailed for regions of high seismicity

  • Hurricanes: Has undergone testing for hurricane-force winds at leading testing facilities

  • Security: Reinforced concrete walls are unaffected by intruders armed with hand tools

  • Flooding: Concrete walls resist mold and water damage

Prototype B employs a cast-in-place (CIP) load-bearing wall system created using the patented formwork of Western Forms International (WFI). This system relies on the strength and stiffness of thin, reinforced concrete shear walls to resist earthquake and hurricane forces. This prototype takes advantage of the many attractive features of concrete, including its durability and insulation properties. The quick construction time and minimization of finishing required (reducing both time and costs compared to traditional masonry construction) have helped to popularize this system in over 30 countries. More importantly, all features of the home can be formed in a single, monolithic concrete pour, including roofs, balconies, windows and doors, thanks to WFI's versatile forming system.

 

Below is a quick summary of this design's compliance with the Haitian constraints matrix.

Take Time to INNOVATE

Learn how Prototype B has become a popular typology throughout the developing world
VIABILITY

 

  • Cultural Preferences: Single family home with multiple rooms and covered porch, modern appearance (concrete)

  • Indoor Air Quality: Ventilation can be enhanced by alternate roof design, concrete walls insulate interior

  • Acceptance: Employs materials currently preferred in home construction, may experience aversions to concrete slab roof

  • Customization: Layouts are standardized, fixed at the time of construction

SUSTAINABILITY

 

  • Use of Local Materials: All materials used are available locally

  • Use of Local Labor: Construction utilizes local labor and existing skill sets

  • Accommodates Progressive Construction: Monolithic nature of system does not permit progressive construction, reconfiguration or ready expansion

  • Cost: Has retailed at 10-30% less than traditional masonry construction in non-seismic zones

  • Lifespan: Permanent housing option  

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