Bahareque
Project: Alternative housing prototypes for Habitat for Humanity Guatemala
Location: Zacapa, Guatemala - 2008
Responsibilities: As Coordinator of New Technologies it was my job to research alternative methods of building for development. As the project manager I was responsible for research, design integration, drawings, construction and construction supervision, budget, labor coordination and payment, documentation, and all other tasks related to the project.
Project Summary: Habitat's current houses are built exclusively in concrete block with rebar re-inforcement; they are interested in housing that could be sustainable, cheaper or healthier. However, finding alternative methods or materials is very difficult due to Habitat's extremely low budget. After investigating many options, I was convinced that a 'modernized' method of an ancient building method called 'bahareque' (first developed by FUNDASAL in El Salvador), was our best bet. Essentially cane and mud with a concrete foundation and lime coat, two prototype houses were built to test for a fit with Habitat's methodology, materials and cost. We found the bahareque houses would cost slightly less in materials, but significantly more in labor. Thus for these houses to truly function as Habitat houses, an alternative model for labor would have to be developed.
Lessons Learned: Systems thinking is needed to effect real significant change. Working with mud is fun and builds community.
Process
"Modern" foundation A single row of block
Vertical/diagonal/horizontal cane Mud infill
Mud plaster Lime Plaster
Prototype 1
The first prototype built had two rooms and a bathroom (as seen here), the second was a full Habitat house with four rooms and a bathroom
Cane
The cane was first scraped of leaves and twigs, then stained (where necessary) with used motor oil as an insecticide. Then it was tied together with thousands of pieces of galvanized wire.
Mud
Of course we mixed the mud with our feet, how else could you do it?
Prototype 2
The second house had four rooms and a bathroom, and required a respective increase in labor
Prototype 1 - Finished
