Sustainable Communities
Faculty of Architecture, Universidad Peruana de Ciencias Aplicadas [UPC]
UPC_ Cellular Hexagonal Modules
Many communities in Peru developed uniquely without contact with the outside world. In the beginning, the relation between the communities of this Amazon River Basin and nature was strong, a perfect balance between nature and the human activity. By contrast, the current communities, which have been influenced by Western culture, have established their architecture through deforestation. The team looks into this phenomenon and takes as an example “The Yaguas”, the biggest and most important community in Peruvian Amazon.
The Amazon River is born in the Mismi Mountain, in Arequipa. On its several turns and on route to the Atlantic Ocean many other basins converge, creating South America’s largest river and the world’s largest drainage basin, 20% of the world’s fresh water reserves. There, where life is developed, ancient native communities have found an important resource and a connection with nature. This is the case of the Yaguas, a community comprised of almost 40 clans, whose traditions co-exist with nature. They live along the shores of the Amazon River, in the department of Loreto outside Iquitos city, where the rainforest is still almost untouched.
The Yaguas’ first living organization was established around its main building. From that point, they employed the resources needed to survive as they were interned in the jungle. Once outside settlers came to these communities they altered the atomized and interned Yagua organization. Many years after a new distribution of spaces had taken part in their lives: they established themselves near the river shore. The imposed educational process altered their house typology and the appearance of a sports field depredated some parts of their ecosystem. Nowadays, most Yagua communities continue living in this way.
The river, for Yaguas and Loreto habitants, is a transport medium to other districts, a source of incredible fauna and feeding resources and, also, a place for fun when its level is at a minimum. Nevertheless, everyday this hydrographic colossus receives wastes and garbage from the nearby residents and industries.
UPC_ Cellular Hexagonal Modules
THE CONCEPT
The stereotyped adaptation process for many communities is to cut trees, disposing of the main building on the same ground and establishing houses around it. This project, in contrast, considers an architectural intervention that ADAPTS TO NATURE, and not the one that prejudices nature.
We generate a “tree” inside the rainforest, bringing forward the idea of the original interned community. We mean by “tree” a branching modular system that may be adapted to the territory according to the location and width of the trees. This option is a response to recover the original traditions and their healthy relation with the rainforest, as it also respects the new western customs of their way of life. Other buildings are “hung as cocoons” on this tree due to the representative shishakretsi, a typical textile that natives wear as an envelope.
This modular system is translated into a platform that stands at an intermediate level (1.50mtrs above ground level). First of all, this preserves the first layer of the forest, a layer of life that allows the growth of the Amazon flora. Furthermore, this intervention protects the community from the river floods and threats of animals or insects; avoids moisture and heat from the floor and simultaneously achieves a favourable environmental conditioning as it allows solar light to reach the ground. This system is adaptable and can be replicated all along the river.
The waste produced in the city, instead of being thrown into the river or burned, will be recycled. The project brings forward the idea of using High Impact Polystyrene (Hips), a rigid and light material and by product of the recycling of plastic waste. The objective is to employ a material that could be used as an adaptable modular system, which will reduce the river’s pollution. Furthermore, this architectural work requires a Plastic Recycling Factory that will provide employment for the residents of Iquitos and improve the Amazonian quality of life.
A hexagon, union of 6 triangles, is chosen as the most convenient shape, in order to provide resistance. These hexagonal modules can be assembled and disposed of according the position of trees.
The second material used in the project is bamboo. Bamboo is considered a sustainable alternative because of its botanical morphology and development characteristics: it is adaptable to different climates, it grows fast and its presence can be found in the Amazon River basin easily. Deforested areas can be covered with bamboo plantations. Bamboo is an economic and earthquake resistant way for providing the communities of permanent housing and buildings over the platform.
UPC_ Cellular Hexagonal Modules
Bamboo Columns
To support the assembled platform, bamboo columns six meters high (or more) are projected from the ground to hold modules by cables. The columns will be built by grouping and tying up bamboos. Another vertical structure, made also of bamboo, is the stairs, which go around the columns and are closed with lianas meshes. Over the platform, bamboo is used to structure building shapes. Covertures may be made with Irapay leaves, which must be replaced every five years. The volume and shape of each building will depend on the function and the bioclimatic measures taken to avoid rainwater getting inside or the needs of solar light filtering inside.
Organization: Cocamera as a centre
The Cocamera is the main building of the community, the leader’s house, a meeting centre and the community distribution centre point. The inside spaces remain the original means of providing shelter for rituals.
The structure is built up from the hexagon’s holes where the bamboos are attached and get tied. Once the position of each bamboo is stacked a designed piece of steel gives union to the upper point. Irapay leaves are used for the skin of the structure. The easterly main entrance remains virtual, to get visually connection to the esplanade, where the residents and visitors mingle together and/or carry out rituals, etc.
Housing
Houses are organized around the platform. The houses level increases as they get further away from the Cocamera. The intention is to create visual lines drawn from each house to the centre. Houses will have a terrace for work and a resting area. The north oriented houses will open their doors to use them as eaves to the terrace.
Restrooms
Every group of four houses will be assigned one modular lavatories. It works as a “silo”, which contributes to fertilize the soil.
The school is located near the crops as the children are taught, based not so much on theory but practice. This education system is based on the relation between a person and nature. The objective is to teach the means which will allow a person to live by approaching all direct environment resources, contribute to the community and get connected with civilization.
The school is, in essence, a huge classroom that will have an amphitheatre at its disposal, and will be totally open to the environment. The hexagons that cradle the platform will be regulated to generate ascending levels and give each student a direct view of the teacher, who will give lessons and take the students to practice afterwards. A bamboo structure is also used, but just the roof is covered with leaves: The absence of walls generates a stronger relation between the student and the rainforest. To protect the users from the rain a scrolling roof system was designed. Light is filtered inside but the rain is kept away.
The Pier
The pier is the connection point with other clans. Its importance is based on the fact that exchanges of products are part of Yagua’s life. In this way, the pier represents the commercial knot between the Amazonas River and the location of a community.
To build the pier, the hexagons are assembled axially. In order to keep the platform in the same axis line, bamboo columns pass through hexagons holes and get stacked as deep as possible to ground under water. To keep this platform floating it is necessary to tie it with reed packs.
Just next to the pier two hydroelectric wheels are moved by the river flow. These generate energy that goes directly to an electric storage from where it will be distributed to the houses, the Cocamera, and the school.
Boats
The boats use a catamaran system to sail. Two large hydrodynamic shaped Totora (reed) packs are tied under the boat platform to make it float. As well, the platform hexagons are disposed as a rhomboid to get the most efficient shape to perform.
As any other Amazonas river transport mode, the boat will need a roof to protect sailors from solar light. This will be an aerodynamic structure of bamboo and Irapay leaves as cover. This vessel will be used to transport their products and modules for new buildings.
UPC_ Cellular Hexagonal Modules
