Thursday, March 21, 2013

prelim plan and section


new community living idea

Through my research I've learned that many families live in groups of houses together in the same area. They often live in separate houses based on gender or generation. At first I thought my houses could be grouped in a similar way, but now I'm thinking one house can be used for multiple groups using separation of living spaces.


experimenting with program


Sunday, March 3, 2013

Traditional housing

In rural areas, several round or rectangular mud huts enclosed in an area comprise a family's homestead. The frame is built by tying vines around sticks and palm frond stems. A mixture of sand, water, and often cement is then used to fill in the structure and a grass roof completes the home. Families often move their homestead to be near their new fields, or if termites have destroyed their roof. At times, new homes are built on top of the old field, so that after several years, the newly fertilized land can be used again. Each hut serves a different purpose: some are for cooking, others are for storage, and there are guest huts and separate rooms for the male and female children, who usually sleep on handwoven raffia mats placed upon the ground. Traditional homesteads are as diverse as their owners. They may be large or small, extremely clean or left in neglect.
In the areas surrounding cities, large shantytowns have emerged. Usually the small homes are made of corrugated iron in these areas. Given the extreme heat during most of the year, these homes are often swelteringly hot. In general, the quality of life in the urban shanties is lower than that of the rural areas. In some urban areas, however, better homes or apartments are available for the rich who drive Western automobiles and wear suits. Large government buildings made of modern materials symbolize the wealth of the politically powerful.

http://www.nationsencyclopedia.com/Africa/Congo-Democratic-Republic-of-the-DROC-HOUSING.html

http://www.endingextremepoverty.org/housing/
Most rural Congolese live within a family compound.  The compound is a plot of land where family members build adjoining houses.  - See more at: http://www.endingextremepoverty.org/housing/#sthash.dzH7OyaD.dpuf
Most rural Congolese live within a family compound.  The compound is a plot of land where family members build adjoining houses.  - See more at: http://www.endingextremepoverty.org/housing/#sthash.dzH7OyaD.dpuf
Most rural Congolese live within a family compound.  The compound is a plot of land where family members build adjoining houses.  - See more at: http://www.endingextremepoverty.org/housing/#sthash.dzH7OyaD.dpuf
Most rural Congolese live within a family compound.  The compound is a plot of land where family members build adjoining houses.  -