The project of approximately 148 m2, was designed following some principles: flexibility, lightness, open and natural. It is oriented according to the existing north-south buildings to take advantage of the air currents and guarantee the greatest thermal comfort. The project is attached to one of the walls of an existing gallery with a gap of 40 centimetres, which reduces solar incidence on a façade, as well as linear metres of wall. Likewise, the patio where the project is located has a natural slope towards the west, where the Apatlaco River is located. Given the risk of flooding, the project was located on the highest part of the patio which is precisely next to the existing galley. Simultaneously to the participatory design workshops and the architectural proposal, a soil mechanics study was undertaken. This study revealed that the concrete slab of the patio was planted merely 30 centimetres above a bed rock. This made the foundation work easier as there was no need to fill up the subsurface. Due to the risk of flooding and in order to optimise financial resources, two different foundation systems were used. The longitudinal half (East), closer to the wall of the existing galley, used a strip footing system that also serves as retaining wall and supports a concrete slab, which in turn will provide a finished floor that will facilitate cleaning. The other half of the project will be planted from a floating or elevated structure made of steel and wood beams. Being closer to the lower slope of the patio, it will be around 40 centimetres above the floor level, which will lower the possibility of water damage. The project is divided into six modules of 24 m2 (6 by 4 m), out of which 4 modules can be enlarged or reduced through internal partitions, responding to spatial configuration needs depending on the activity and the number of participants. Two of these modules (norwest and southeast) work as thresholds with the exterior, where semi-open activities can be carried out. This will be a space that invites people to enter the interior halls and that have a natural atmosphere allowing the local vegetation to be present or able to be seen from inside. One of the modules of the interior halls was designed as a kitchen space, which is why it is well equipped for this purpose, as well as with a concrete surface and drywalls for ease of cleaning and the placement of the service lines. The last 3 modules were conceived as flexible spaces and even when they are divided, they can be integrated into a large hall to accommodate more people. It is in these modules where the cabinets and closets are located, in order to store the tools and materials of each workshop group. The environmental conditions of Jojutla, due to its high temperatures and humidity most of the year, obliged the creation of an exterior envelope that was permeable, not only visually but also to air currents. Different panels for the envelope were designed keeping in mind its location and thermic properties, as well as maintenance, lightness and the use of local materials. However, two factors were critical: the involvement of the community and the use of local materials or debris caused by the earthquake. Three panels were conceived and designed so that the inhabitants could participate in their construction process: gabion wall (filled with earthquake rubble with a symbolic meaning of reconstruction), reed walls ( local material and easy to install), bahareque wall (using the traditional system of mud with straw which anyone can undertake). Finally, a panel with shade net pointed towards the semi-open natural modules, and finally the construction system of drywall for the kitchen area.
Muro de Gavión
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Interior
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Participantes
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