..... Valparaiso Chile ...... Camilo Moraes .......

Camilo Moraes Zambrano,

Valparaíso

, Chile : Glenn Murcutt Master Class 2011

[ disaster relief : emergency housing : timber pallets : volunteers : straw : mud : recycled ]

Minga Valpo Emergency Housing

Cerro Merced, Cerro Mariposa, Cerro Las Cañas. Valparaíso, Chile

After the major

fires in April 2014 in Valparaíso, Chile

, a group of young architects went to the port city to develop a reconstruction project based on energy efficiency, recycled materials, and adaptability to Valparaíso's topographic context.

Before and After

The

Minga Valpo

project has not only achieved these objectives, but it has also allowed families to help build their own houses.

The Minga Valpo project came about due the fire, which occurred in Valparaiso which completely burned down the homes of more than 3000 families.

United by a common vision, a team of young architects, volunteers and families set out to offer sustainable solutions to people living in the affected areas. Paying careful attention to each location, its topography and orientation, the group has made progress in building thermal efficient homes with the use of local and recycled materials.

The construction of the houses has taken place through workshops with volunteer labor (without previous experience in construction) and is being led by a team of professional volunteers.

Knowing how to build our own living spaces has always been a part of the human condition. The concept of the Minga is therefore to provide the necessary tools to reconnect with this ancient tradition.

The building technique favors the use of natural and recycled materials, conserves solar energy and allows for easy replication.

The proposed model is based on a backbone of rough pine pallets as walls. The wooden pallets are filled with straw, that serves as thermal insulation, and are coated with a mix of mud and straw which acts as thermal mass. Once the scratch coat is dry a fine plaster of lime is applied to make the wall waterproof, while still allowing the clay to breathe -- one of the intrinsic properties of building with mud.

Several experts in bioconstruction have also been a part in the experience, such as master Gonzalo Vargas who performed a special workshop of fine lime mud plaster.

Three months after the fire struck, Minga Valpo had built three houses, a place of 'encounter' and an ecological bathroom module.

The work has been fueled by the affection of the people involved and the families that offered material donations. The project has become an amazing experience of architecture and unity of the people under a common goal ... to build sustainably.

Volunteer Team :

Carolina Moraes, Cristobal Hughes, Camilo Moraes, Anita Oyarzun, Constanza Cabezas, Sergio Levet, Barbara Inostroza,Barbara Isler, Macarena Cima, Rodolfo Rubio, José Murillo, Rohan Sutherland, Gerardo Coli, Estaban Moraga, Jano Ponce y Romain Ferrini.

Engineer:

Ricardo Luna

Photography : Camilo Moraes, Sergio Levet, Felix Po

Camilo Moraes :

http://www.moraes.cl

OZ.E.TECTURE

architects thinking locally acting globally

www.ozetecture.org

Lindsay Johnston20 July 2016

Juan Carlos Eugene Soler : Glenn Murcutt Master Class 2001

54th Central Glass International Design Competition, Tokyo, Japan

‘Architecture That Generates New Sakariba’ - 2019

The Japanese ‘Central Glass International Design Competitions’ have been run each year since 1966. The 2019 competition attracted 188 international entries. Seven were shortlisted and Eugene’s entry was placed second.

[ theoretical proposition, metaphor, solar energy, technology, sustainability, community ]

‘MOON LANDING’

It is in our deepest primal instinct as social beings that people gather in a communal place that gives us a sense of culture and belonging. We gather around the warmth and wonder of campfire under the stars and share memories and stories. Or by day, under the cool shade of a tree- a natural place to meet a lover or exchange knowledge. Such place that delivers these conditions perhaps is the genesis of ‘Sakariba’.

The proposal is a massive balloon structure that can create and harness energy from the Sun whilst defining space underneath its volume, where people of all ages can gather to meet, play or ‘hangout’. The ‘Moon Landing’ hopes to create a central place for gathering where business and commerce are encouraged and generate ‘Sakariba’.

On a hot summer or rainy day, people can gather under its shade. On a cloudy day, the balloon structure can rise above the clouds where it can efficiently harness energy from the Sun. At night, it becomes a light source and a signal to attract people and when it descends it creates a space where people can gather around its warm glow. The ‘Moon Landing’ has all these features at the same time providing sustainable energy to its local community.

This idea is not science fiction but actually a very feasible means of efficiently combining what is currently being developed in balloon technology, sustainability, science and art. What is new is the realignment of technology to create a more poetic and meaningful purpose to reinvigoration local culture, religion, myths and stories, which is appropriate when it needs to be integrated in local communities. Especially to the 25% of the world’s population which has no or lack access to electricity. Such space offers a wonderful chance for the community to be activated, bring people together and encourage businesses and various activities.

By combining a strong metaphor with technology and sustainability- the proposal hopes to address not only the community’s basic needs but also hopes to give a deep importance and meaning in local culture and tradition to bring people together and organically for business growth and generate a ‘New Sakariba’

Moreover, in a world where we have Internet connection but seem to be ‘disconnected’- the ‘Moon Landing’ can be a benefit to existing ‘Sakariba’ not only to reduce the abundant energy we are drowning in, but also to remind us to look up and realize our place in the Universe and encourage real connection with each other.

Architect : Eugene Soler

Awards : 54th Central Glass International Design Competition _ Second Place

Web site : http://www.ateliersoler.com

OZ.E.TECTURE

architects thinking locally acting globally

www.ozetecture.org