Flexible And Replicable Housing by Daniel Esteban Garay Medina

illustrarch Team27 August 20252 Mins read78

Daniel Esteban Garay Medina

Montecristo, Bolívar Colombia

2024

@cathepreciado

Santo Tomas University

@danielegaraym

The research has provided a deep understanding of the issues and potentialities of the municipality of Montecristo, Bolívar. The initial analysis, complemented by field visits and written and photographic documentation, provided a comprehensive understanding of the context, covering both its cultural and water resources richness as well as the socio-economic challenges it faces. Although Montecristo is rich in natural resources, it suffers from economic and social limitations that prevent it from fully harnessing its potential. It faces serious social problems, such as conflicts with armed groups, and the precarious condition of many of its homes, which lack basic services.

Furthermore, pollution in the local creek highlights the need for more effective environmental management. Based on this context, the architectural proposal developed is grounded in an integrated strategy that responds to these needs and contributes to improving the quality of life in the municipality. The solution proposed not only addresses habitability from a technical and urban perspective but also prioritizes community work and selfsufficiency through the use of local resources, such as wood.

This choice aligns with the lack of access to large material suppliers and strengthens the community’s economy and cohesion. Additionally, the project incorporates bioclimatic architecture principles, ensuring that the buildings are self-sustaining and provide thermal comfort by taking advantage of natural resources. This approach proposes a development model that will not only impact current inhabitants but also attract new populations and energize the local economy.

This proposal aspires to establish a benchmark for sustainable architecture in Montecristo, demonstrating that with the right approach, it is possible to transform challenges into opportunities for community progress and the strengthening of its cultural and economic identity.

The transformative role of architecture is also highlighted when used as a tool for social and environmental development. Implementing a construction based on local materials like wood not only reduces dependency on external suppliers but also fosters a sense of belonging and community participation. The joint effort of the inhabitants in building their own spaces, in addition to providing them with construction skills, strengthens social cohesion and promotes a circular economy that directly benefits the municipality.

This strategy addresses current economic limitations while preserving Montecristo’s cultural identity, achieving a balance between housing needs and environmental sustainability. The joint effort of the inhabitants in building their own spaces, in addition to providing them with construction skills, strengthens social cohesion and promotes a circular economy that directly benefits the municipality.