LAMO - Prototipo de Viviena
Located in “La Mojana" in the Colombian Caribbean region, a region prone to extreme poverty, this prototype house is conceived for the re-adaptability of local communities, in response to the extreme floods of the extended rainy season of 2010-14, due to climate change. The project of “adaptive architecture” is the response to an announcement by UNDP, as part of a broader program financed by the Global Adaptation Fund and Colombian Government to reduce negative impacts of climate change.
People from La Mojana are known as "the amphibious people"; they are harmoniously adapted to the climatic conditions of the enormous marshes of the region. With this in mind, AGRA design team did a previous research, aware, though, that bioclimatic principles underlying vernacular architecture have been underestimated due to the irruption of images from other contexts. It was essential to rediscover technics and patterns that allow a sustainable use of natural resources and local materials, such as the building of earth platforms for domestic and productive activities, which had been used for centuries by indigenous groups at “La Mojana" region, being the most intelligent strategy to face and control stationary flooding. Climate change has enhanced the virtues of these types of vernacular solutions rooted in the Pre-Colombian Zenu culture.
Yet, locally, modern building technics such as cement blocks and zinc roof panels are still popular and in some way useful. Consequently, traditional thatched roofs are enhanced by the designer and builder, while traditional walling systems, made of palm fibers, are used to improve thermal comfort. At the same time, typologies and forms extracted from the local context are highly valued and appropriated by the architects and the community through the method “Saberes Colectivos” (Collective Wisdom) developed and applied by AGRA, linking the traditional wisdom of local peasants with the technical experience of professionals by which architects learn about people´ s culture, and people about architect´s and engineer´s know-how
The design and construction of housing alternatives according to different household sizes and incomes, proposes the use of local vernacular construction techniques and materials that allow interior thermal comfort, rainwater conduction and storage, appropriate disposal of black and gray sewer water, as well as the provision of spaces for orchard, for storage of rice, corn and tools.
Local settlers were involved during the design and construction process and through a participatory approach, to the project of the house: alternatives of progressive, stage by stage dwellings, according to family size, household necessities and investment possibilities. AGRA team worked hand in hand with the community through collective design, agreements, building and appropriation of the house realm. The design phase promoted the participation of the community as a whole, the elderly, adults, women and men, young and children. Besides, during the building phase, the community works alongside with a specialized building team.. Community involvement is a guarantee for legitimacy, appropriation, cost reduction and sustainability.
The use of palm leaves and fibers motivates continuous production by local farmers, liberating local settlers and builders from dependence of exterior supplies for future projects.
