17 The Butterfly House

The Butterfly House

Self Sufficient Housing for the People of Martina Bustos, Liberia

Fall 2021 Critic: Jonathan Knowles, RISD

Tasked to design self sufficient, affordable housing for the people of Nicaragua residing in Martina Bustos, Costa Rica. This proposal aims to design a dwelling that is uncomplicated in form, easy to build, and quick to assemble while creating a livable, adaptable interior. Designing a small dwelling means that there is an increased need for efficiency. The additional opportunity for multiplicity makes the possibility of prefabrication more feasible, while influencing the quality and speed of construction.

By examining the relationship between interior and exterior, program, and environmental concerns in relation to prefabricated and easily assembled components, a minimal home with maximum function was created.

The aim of the master plan was to create that sense of community that was missing, within the various blocks.

The blocks reside on either side of two major corridors which are one way roads in either direction. Public services such as a community center and community garden, school, health center, recycling and water collection centers are scattered across the site.

This master plan focuses on health care, security, connectivity, economic opportunities, and food and water security.

Making use of lightweight construction, the house is built mainly of timber, supported by structural frames which provide the necessary stability. The wall panels do not have a structural function but allow for various procedures and flexibility on a programmatic perspective.

The dwelling is a kit of parts. The structure is designed to be easily assembled but also easily disassembled in the case that it may need to be moved, or if the materials need to be reused for another purpose.

Keeping in mind that rainwater collection, cross ventilation and solar collection are valuable to this project, the use of a butterfly roof was the perfect solution. The slope allows for rain water to flow into a central gutter and collect in an underground tank. The roof also increases the opportunity for ventilation. Apertures are located at the top to promote air circulation and cool down interiors during the hotter days.

The walls have a sliding door technology which allows users to have more autonomy over the spaces they choose to create. When all 6 doors are open both volumes are connected and a larger space can be created. Additionally, the wall connected to the kitchen space also slides and allows for cooking to occur both indoors and outdoors.

Hooks are placed on various parts of the frame to allow woven fabric to be hooked onto. This is the secondary wall/ room separation system. It gives users more flexibility in the program & allows families to customize the initial structure based on their needs.