Thesis Research Booklet V.II

FLOODING RELIEF HOUSING REFUGE FOR DISPLACED PERSONS OF BANGLADESH MONIQUE GAGNON | THESIS 2021

VOLUME II THESIS DESIGN BOOK

TABLE OF CONTENTS

01 03 05

STATEMENTS

CULTURAL SOCIO-ECONOMICS RESEARCH

SITE ANALYSIS

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KITCHEN UNIT

23

LIVING ROOM UNIT

27

BEDROOM UNIT

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VERNACULAR ARCHITECTURE

29

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CONCEPT + INSPIRATION

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SHELTER PACKAGE

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CITATIONS

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FLOOR PLAN

COMPONENT TRANSPORTATION

THESIS STATEMENT Using sustainable materials and elements in refuge housing can improve the physical and mental state of victims affected by natural disaster.

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PROBLEM STATEMENT The project will explore temporary housing units around 500 square feet created to promote a sustainable lifestyle that helps minimize the emotional distress of displaced persons of multi-generational households in Bangladesh affected by monsoon season flooding. When floods occur not only are victims fighting for survival but they are faced with trauma and emotional distress from the loss of their property due to rapid changes in their environment. To do this the units will be net-zero energy buildings and address essential living needs to relieve the added stress that is placed on a household following a natural disaster.

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CULTURAL SOCIO-ECONOMICS

OVERVIEW DEMOGRAPHICS

Bangladesh became a country in 1971 when the two parts of Pakistan split following a war that left East Pakistan to claim its independence. For the first 15 years as a nation Bangladesh existed under military rule until democracy was restored in 1990. The country is now made up of a parliamentary system that has many elements of Islamic Law due to the population being 89% Muslim.

The population of Bangladesh is around 165 million people, making it the eighth most populated country in the world. In addition to having a large overall population they are also home to the biggest Muslim community in the world, as evident by the numerous festival celebrated throughout each year. Bangladesh has a low immigration draw leaving 98% of the country to fall within the Bengali ethnic group. This ethnic group is divided between west India and the independent state of Bangladesh. Of their total population 34% are 15 years old or younger and only 5% rest in the 65+ age range. In recent years the life expectancy has grown to 73 years of age with the main source of health issues arising from contaminated drinking water.

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POPULATION BELOW POVERTY LINE 0-25%

37-55%

ECONOMY INDUSTRIES

Bangladesh has been able to grow its economy in the last decade despite challenges of political instability, poor infrastructure, and endemic corruption. Under the constructs of a developing market economy, Bangladesh is involved in many industries such as telecommunications, oil, food, and beverages. Around 37% of the population is employed by the agricultural industry with rice being the main product. Bangladesh is geographically prone to natural disasters like flooding that affect their industries yearly. Although the floods can cause irreparable damage, the people of Bangladesh rely on the annual flooding of the delta to keep the land fertile for farming.

As Bangladesh has reduced its population growth to a sustainable level the nation has begun to combat the issue of poverty. Measures have been made to improve public health and education practices. The country’s literacy rates are slightly below the global average at 73%. Efforts have been made to focus funds on the education sector the hope is to provide the poverty afflicted country with a more prosperous future.

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SITE ANALYSIS

CHINA

BANGLADESH INDIA MYANMAR

LAOS

THAILAND

CONTEXT TERRAIN

Nestled between Burma and India, the country of Bangladesh is situated on the deltas of the Ganges and Jamuna river. These two rivers merge together to flow out to the Bay of Bengal. When these major rivers are met with monsoon season a majority of Bangladesh is put at risk of high volumes of flooding. Bangladesh is a country located on the delta of three major river systems. Being in south Asia, Bangladesh’s climate is heavily influenced by the monsoon season from May to September. The Bengal Delta is made up of very low flat terrain leaving almost the entire country situated below sea level. Most elevations of land masses are less than 5 meters above sea level this results in mass flooding during the summer months. Warnings for these disasters are not always very effective in Bangladesh, due to the bad Infrastructure of the country.

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SAKHIPUR, BANGLADESH

SAKHIPUR SITE LOCATION

The proposed site for the disaster relief camp is located north of Bangladesh’s capital Dhaka situated above the sea level in the town of Sakhipur. This town was chosen for its proximity to Bangladesh’s largest city that lays directly within the countries flood zone. Displaced persons from the capital will need a lace of refugee that is outside of the flood zone and accessible. Within the town of Sakhipur a open plain of land has been chosen for an emergency camp. The plot is approximately .26 miles by .11miles, resting slightly off the main road. The surrounding town is home to multiple specialized medical clinics that will be useful for any injured persons that may be residing at the camp. Additionally a bus stop is present in the center of the town. This provides an opportunity for people to be shuttled to disaster relief camp if needed via the public transportation system.

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CLIMATE

TEMPERATURE|WEATHER|MONSOONS

Bangladesh has a subtropical monsoon climate characterized by wide seasonal variations in rainfall, high temperatures and humidity. A majority of the country receives an annual rainfall of at least 78 inches. 80% of Bangladesh’s rainfall happens during monsoon season. Monsoon season occurs between May and September and result in mass amounts of flooding. During these months the average temperatures range from 85°-110°. The regions in northeastern Bangladesh are most affected by the storms due to its location just south of the foothills of the Himalayas, where monsoon winds turn west and northwest.

SOLAR STUDY SUNLIGHT YEAR ROUND

The length of the day in Sakhipur, Bangladesh varies slightly over the course of the year. The length changes about 3 hours from the winter to the summer. In 2020 the longest day in Bangladesh was 13 hours and 36 minutes on June 21st and the shortest day was 10 hours 40 minutes on December 22nd. The sun path goes almost directly overhead due to the countries location along the Tropic of Cancer, the most northerly circle of latitude on Earth.

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LOCATION

24° 18’ 04”N 90° 10’ 44”E

ACCESS STREET VIEW

LANDMARKS NOTABLE PLACES

BUS STOP

MEDICAL FACILITY SITE

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VERNACULAR ARCHITECTURE

TRADITIONAL KUTCHA HOUSE SINGLE STORY HOME

With the river systems throughout Bangladesh comes a surplus of vital resources that the people rely on for a number of uses. Two main resources that grow in high quantity because of the abundance of water are jute and bamboo. From these versatile materials the people of Bangladesh are able to construct region specific homes that use passive cooling techniques for comfortable living. The most commonly built home throughout rural Bangladesh are single story Kutcha houses.

Kutcha houses are categorized as a temporary form of housing due to the endurance of its organic construction materials. The components of a Kutcha house consist of walls made from bamboo framing and jute or woven split bamboo, mudcrete plinth foundation, and thatched straw roofs. In some instances corrugated iron sheets (CI sheets) are used for roofing since it is damp-proof, light, and durable, and ensures direct protection against heavy rain.

Common layout characteristics for these single dwellings include a centered door opening, sleeping quarters located towards the back, an attic for storage, and a semi outdoor area with a lowered roof extending out over the porch-like space.

Some other considerations to have are the orientation of the home. People build their dwelling units facing the shorter side toward the windward direction (south/ south east). This provides protection against the strong wind that comes from annual cyclones and monsoons.

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KUTCHA HOUSE DRAWING BY:

Shantanu Biswas Linkon | Khulna University, Bangladesh

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CONCEPT + INSPIRATION

RESTORE BENGAL DELTA

Bangladesh’s land is heavily shaped by the landscape and river systems that flow through the entire country, like vital blood streams fostering life into the entire region.

Water is the countries most plentiful resource and many of these river systems flow out to the Bengal Delta, the largest delta in the world. The rivers give life to the neighboring land and provide the country with a wealth of fertile soil, making Bangladesh an ecological gem. Although the rivers cause for environmental challenges such as flooding during monsoon season, they are also the reasons for the immense environmental advantages Bangladesh has.

When designing a housing unit for displaced persons of Bangladesh their expansive river systems can be looked at for inspiration. The interconnected series of rivers give the land it extends to a revitalization and with it a sense of security to the people of Bangladesh who rely on the land for their income. Looking to the rivers that define Bangladesh’s landscape to develop the form and layout for the proposed relief camp can celebrate the life the river brings to all it touches.

Displaced persons need a shelter that can help mitigate the effects of stress placed on a family following a natural disaster. By highlighting the positive aspects of the country’s river systems and using its organically connected qualities for inspirations will led to a shelter that promotes rebuilding the lives of the victims who occupy it.

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RIVER DELTA BREAKDOWN PARTI ABSTRACTION

Deltas form where the mouth of a river meets the ocean. Distributary channels become branches off the river’s opening and have paths determined by the deposition of sediment carried down stream.

Main R

iver

Delta

Distributary Channel Parti Diagram

Shelters are located off the main access-ways along their own distributary paths, much like how the homes material would grow naturally alongside the river. As you follow the access paths downward you move towards the public communal spaces representative of the rivers meeting the open ocean.

- Shelters

- Agriculture

- Community Area

-Storage + Production

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RESTORE UNIT ON SITE

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Secondary Distributary Pathway

Construction of traditional Mudcrete Plinth

Restored Communities Formed

BACK OF HOUSE NET-ZERO

Located on the back side of the house is 10 solar panels that sits at an angle for optimal sun. Additionally, a water catchment system runs along the bottom of the roof line for a self sustaining water supply.

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2 4

1

6

3

5

7

7

FLOOR PLAN 540 SF

LEGEND 1. Covered Porch

5. Bathroom

2. Living Room Unit

6. Storage/ Laundry Unit

3. Kitchen Unit

7. Bedroom Unit

4. Collapsible Dining Table/ Food Prep Surface

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LAUNDRY + BATHROOM UNIT FLOOR PLAN NUMBER 5 AND 6

The bathroom and laundry unit acts as a wall between the public living spaces and the private living spaces.

The laundry unit includes a collapsible screen to be used as a divider for the bedrooms. The bathroom has a full size shower and utilizes a composting toilet.

On the face of the unit that lays adjacent to the kitchen there are optional tools that can remain flush with the surface when not in use. These tools include:

1. Drying rack adjacent to the washing machine

2. ‘J’ Hooks to hold food baskets

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KITCHEN UNIT AXONOMETRIC

Rounded details have been introduced into the modular units to continue the organic qualities present on the site through the river concept

Table is stored in the end cabinet

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COLLAPSIBLE DINING TABLE INCLUDED IN UNIT

The kitchen unit is shipped with a removable dining table that can double as an extra food prep area. Can be easily folded and stored away.

SPECIFICATIONS APPLIANCES

Insignia Energy Star Refrigerator

Frigidaire Energy Efficient Electric oven + cook top

Kohler Low Flow Faucet

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17

KITCHEN AND DINING

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LIVING ROOM UNIT AXONOMETRIC

When chairs are not being stored the peg hooks become additional storage

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Couch pivots out with fold down legs

COLLAPSIBLE CHAIRS INCLUDED IN UNIT

Included with the living room module are four folding chairs for both living and dining.

Additionally, flat packed end tables with attachable legs.

SPECIFICATIONS UNIT HARDWARE

Rixson Pivot Hinge

Grainger Lockable Caster

Gosche Screw on Furniture Feet

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21

LIVING ROOM

22

BEDROOM UNIT AXONOMETRIC

BEDROOM + CLOSET DOUBLE BED

The two bedroom units mirror each other. Included with the units are a closet, shelving, storage, and a fold down full- size bed. The units also provide night stands on either side and a headboard. An opening is left for the home’s south facing windows.

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MATERIAL PALETTE

4

6 5

7

3

2

1

LEGEND 1. Sit made mudcrete used for even ground foundation 2. Knoll Sahara textile in the color Palm (70% Post Consumer Recycled Polyester)

3. Knoll Dottie upholstery in the color Clearwater (70% Post Consumer Recycled

5. Locally sourced Gamari wood used for modular furniture pieces 6. Reclaimed lightweight durable CI Sheets used for unit roofing 7. Locally sourced split bamboo panels used for wall construction

Polyester)

4. EnviroTextiles Natural Canvas (100% Hemp, Sustainable Biodegradable Products)

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BEDROOM

25

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COMPONENT TRANSPORTATION

FITTING + SHIPPING 20’ SHIPPING CONTAINER

The prefabricated modular units fit compactly within a standard 20’ shipping container for easy delivery to the relief housing site. For each home there is a container storing 5 units that create space for a bathroom/ laundry facility, a kitchen, a living room, and a double bedroom.

8’6”

20’ 8’ 29

KITCHEN UNIT

BATHROOM + LAUNDRY UNIT

LIVING ROOM UNIT

BEDROOM UNIT

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SHELTER PACKAGE RESTORE LOGO KUTCHA KIT HOME

Restore Disaster Relief Housing promotes the rebuilding of lives for occupants who have recently been affected by a natural disaster.

Inspired by the vitality of river systems, the Restore logo is most identifiable by the river bend featured in the design of the ‘R’

PACKAGING FLAT PACKED TO SHIP

The prefabricated components for the Restore relief shelter can be flat stacked into a kit bundle.

When transported the bundle is secured between two pieces of plywood and bound tightly with metal band strapping to ensure the unit arrives damage-free.

After unpacking the kit for assembly the metal banding can be used for extra roofing foundation support and the leftover plywood can reused to build additional furniture or to repair existing units.

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Disaster Relief Housing

RESTORE RELIEF HOUSING KUTCHA KIT HOME

The proposed relief housing unit breaks down the components of a traditional Kutcha house into a prefab model that can be easily assembled on site.

26 Bamboo Framing Poles

18 Corrugated Iron Roof Sheets

17 Split Bamboo Panels

9 CI Porch Roof Sheets

8 Shutter Panels

4 Wooden Timber Foundation Posts

26 Wooden Timber Roof Framing Posts

1 Bamboo Door

4 Gable Roof Side Screens

5 Porch Railing Panels

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CITATIONS THESIS OVERVIEW + SITE ANALYSIS ArcGIS. (2018) Flooding in Bangladesh. Retrieved from arcgis.com/apps/Cascade/index .html?appid=79bf52aefcc74ca1a542658cb47e2d04 Howard, C. (2015). Bangladesh: Comprehensive response required to complex displacement crisis. [Ebook] (pp. 1-8) Retrieved from internal-displacement.org/sites/default/ files/publications/documents/201501-ap-bangladesh-overview-en.pdf Karim, A. (2018). Finding Happiness in a Multigenerational Home. Retrieved fromthedailystar.net/ supplements/home-loan/news/finding-happiness-multigenerational-home-1649854 Luxbacher, K. and Mostafa Kamal Uddin, A. (2018) Bangladesh's Comprehensive Approach to Disaster Management. Retrieved from wri.org/our-work/project/world-resources-report/bangladeshs-comprehensive-approach-disaster-management Szczepanski, Sedlar, and Shalant, J. (2018) Bangladesh: A Country Underwater, a Culture on the Move. Retrieved from nrdc.org/onearth/bangladesh-country-underwater-culture-move Time and Date AS. (2020). Dhaka, Bangladesh — Sunrise, Sunset, and Daylength. Retrieved from time-anddate.com/sun/bangladesh/dhaka WeatherOnline Ltd. - Meteorological Services (2020). Climate of the World: Bangladesh. Rerieved from-weatheronline.co.uk/reports/climate/Bangladesh

CULTURAL SOCIO- ECONOMIC Bangladesh Population 2020 (Live). (2020). Retrieved from worldpopulationreview.com/countries/bangladesh-population The World Factbook: Bangladesh. (2018). Retrieved from cia.gov/library/publications/the-worldfactbook/geos/bg.html The World Bank Group. (2018). Bangladesh: Reducing Poverty and Sharing Prosperity. Retrieved from worldbank.org/en/results/2018/11/15/bangladesh-reducing-poverty-and-sharing-prosperity

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RESEARCH Islam, M. (2016). Demographic transition and the emerging windows of opportunities and challenges in Bangladesh. Journal of Population Research, 33(3), 283-305. Retrieved from jstor.org/ stable/43920003 Kopec, D. A. (2018). Environmental Psychology for Design. 111-128. New York: Bloomsbury Publishing Inc. Mazereeuw, M., & Yarina, E. (2018). Emergency Preparedness Hub: Designing Decentralized Systems for Disaster Resilience. Journal of Architectural Education, 72(1), 65–72. https://doi-org. ezproxy.lib.vt.edu/10.1080/10464883.2017.1260928 Rode, S., Guevara, S., & Bonnefond, M. (2018). Resilience in urban development projects in flood-prone areas: a challenge to urban design professionals. TPR: Town Planning Review, 89(2), 167–190. https://doi-org.ezproxy.lib.vt.edu/10.3828/tpr.2018.10 Ross, M. F. (2012). Recovery by Design. FORM: Pioneering Design, 32–35.

Flags of Bangladesh- Colours, Meaning, History. (2020) Retrieved from edarabia.com/bangladesh/flag How to Reduce Stress and Anxiety with Interior Design. (2016) Retrieved from fixme.org.uk/howtoredeucestressanxietywithinteriordesign Lubos, Lesley. (2012). The Role of Colors in Stress Reduction. Liceo Journal of Higher Edeucation Research. 5. 10.7828/ljher.v5i2.39.

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