At Building Back Better Communities Housing Project competition, a wooden house is being exhibited which is being appreciated by experts for its sustainability and by the laymen for its beauty and utility. The project is a Government of Haiti sponsored program aimed to identify solutions for the rehousing of Haiti’s displaced people who were left homeless after the devastating earthquake of 2010.
The house is built by Haiti Development Corporation and is basically a wooden log-house made with square wooden posts which are about six inches thick. At the construction stage, the house is treated to make it free from termites and rot.
The swiss style log cabin house can easily be assembled in six days and this period also includes the time for laying cement foundation. Very soon, the houses will be built on a large scale wherein a factory will be employing around 250 people for the construction of 60 houses in a month. The house is well-finished from inside and outside, and has a front deck as well.
The house also features ceiling fans and a solar power system which is guaranteed for eight years. The solar system costs around $5,000. With the solar system, a 600-square-foot home would cost about $30,000 and without solar system, it will cost around $25,000. It is hoped that these low-cost , earthquake proof houses will provide a sustainable alternative to the people of Haiti in the earthquake prone zone and will go a long way in providing housing to homeless people.
Via: Montreal Gazette
