Architecture and construction are known to go hand in hand. Developments in architecture are therefore mirrored in construction when implemented. Considering the importance environmental issues are gathering today, the buzz in architecture has shifted toward “Sustainable Development,” and which also is making significant in-roads into the former.
The concept of construction which was once an affair associated only with gravel and stones is gradually changing. However there is no doubt about the fact that architectural developments are the force behind it. A shining example of sustainable development today is the effort put in by Partners in Health at Haiti.
Haiti had suffered a killer quake of magnitude 7.0 way back in January 2010. This quake had not just killed and maimed many but had also destroyed Haiti’s main teaching hospital at Port-au-Prince. Aid organization, Partners in Health took this as an opportunity to build a 320 bedded modern hospital which could also serve as a teaching facility.
Accordingly they redesigned the dilapidated Mirebalais hospital over an area of 45000 square feet as a medical campus in lines with sustainable development. Expected to be completed by January 2012, this campus has been proposed to have seven buildings that would in turn house six operating rooms and laboratories in addition to facilities for radiological and pathological tests. The Mirebalais hospital would therefore be able to treat about 450 – 500 patients per day in addition to being an educational hub for aspiring medical workers.
Additionally, being an active proponent of sustainable development, Partners in Health has also made special efforts to encourage natural ventilation and cooling through an advanced ducting design. They also plan to have large shading roofs for keeping the interiors that would be equipped with efficient lighting and high efficiency ceiling fans cozy.
Partners in Health have also made special efforts to procure local labor and local materials in a bid to provide employment opportunities to the locals. Irrigation of native vegetation in the campus is proposed to be carried out through the rainwater harvesting technology. Solar panels installed on roofs would help insulate hospital services from being affected by power cuts in addition to being environmentally friendly.
Set up at a cost of less than $16 million, all got through direct donations, Partners in Health is now seeking voluntary skilled labor for a minimum of eight days starting from July 2011 towards miscellaneous work such as welding, plumbing, carpentry, installation of biomedical instrumentation, etc in a bid to help set up the hospital faster.
Via: Inhabitat
