THE PROMPT: |
An architecture professor at the University of Illinois and his team developed a lightweight disaster shelter for Cambodia a couple years ago. He came to us for help expanding his initial design to fit in a central and south Asia context. His initial design fits 6 people and can be assembled and transported by 2 people. It is self sufficient in terms of water and electricity. As of now this design is only a patented idea and have never been tested or prototyped.
Recently there are been a spike in natural disasters around the world. Most natural disasters occur in central and south Asia. Most recently the flooding's in Chennai, India which displaced thousands of people. Since this courses focuses on subsistence living in India it provides an excellent opportunity to research the needs of the target user group for a disaster situation. |
EMPATHIC EXCURSION: A TRIP TO INDIA
|
During the course of this year long process we took a trip to India, to talk to subsistence communities and really understand their needs and lifestyle.
We spent time in southern India which was very effected by the 2004 Indian Ocean Tsumani. Many people were displaced from their homes and still to this day have not been able to rebuild. |
|
THE INTERVIEW PROCESS
|
Over the course of the trip we interviewed many people. Most of the interviewees were below the poverty line and had been effected by the Indian Ocean Tsunami.
Some common themes we found through out the interviewees: Privacy Our western notion does not apply here. People choose to have little privacy and they enjoy begin together. Materialism Having possessions is not as important as community and people. |
|
Sadurangapattinam Village
Sadurangapattinam Village was heavily effected by the Indian Ocean Tsunami in 2004. They are located off the coast of the Bay of Bengal about 2 hours outside of Chennai. We had the opportunity to tour their village and talk to the people about their experiences during and after the tsunami hit.
Sadurangapattinam Village was heavily effected by the Indian Ocean Tsunami in 2004. They are located off the coast of the Bay of Bengal about 2 hours outside of Chennai. We had the opportunity to tour their village and talk to the people about their experiences during and after the tsunami hit.
KEY TAKE-AWAYS
COMMUNITY plays are huge role in subsistent villages. Villagers rely on and support one another.
The villager’s livelihood is what keeps the community close. In times of disruption people needs to be able to maintain there LIVELIHOOD.
|
Every village has a central HUB where important social and economically interactions take place.
Rebuilding can be a slow process. A RETURN TO NORMALITY may take years.
|
LOCAL ECONOMY is important in maintaining the villages structure.
Villagers often do not trust “higher” technology if they can not understand how that technology works. An appropriate level of technology needs to be supplied for villagers to actually utilize it.
|
REFINING THE SHELTER
