Research Topic #1

Kenneth A. Ballard

Thesis Instructor Ian Taberner

Thesis HT7295/TS7610

31 May 2008

How can Las Vegas, a city of constant change and endless possibilities, provide an architectural language that will be as dynamic as the Las Vegas nightlife with regards to dwellings for the homeless?... The concept of a self-built self-owned community is not a new concept, in the 1940's, Hassan Fathy studied the culture and lifestyles as well as the local economy of the residents of Gourna while commissioned to design a new city for a peasant class population. In his studies, Hassan Fathy explored many concepts that speak directly to the potential success of a self-built, self-owned homeless community.

Fathy knew that it was crucial that a good understanding of the climate, material selection, protection from the sun, site orientation, human scale, life-style, and hands-on participation would result a better community. Leading to a better, more satisfying life while teaching a skill that would benefit the resident's social and economical status. In the book, Architecture for the Poor, Fathy sets out to establish a tone that supports the process in which decisions are made and will ultimately define the solutions used in designing New Gourna. Fathy believed that more than architecture alone would be needed to achieve the greatest impact in the lives of the people of Gourna. I believe that in order to design, be it a retail store, school, house, public building that there must be a clear understanding of what and how things are designed for particular groups of people. In this case, designing a community/village for a certain population of the homeless community within Las Vegas, it is crucial to allow their lifestyle to inform the building materials and architectural character. I feel it is safe to say that it is commonly accepted that 'great' architecture has evolved into 'architecture' for the architects; however, principles used by Hassan Fathy encourages architects to bridge the gap between 'folk' architecture and the architect's 'architecture'.

In terms of vernacular architecture Fathy provides examples that can be translated into driving principles that I will use to develop the site and the sitting of the dwellings as well as help inform the architectural character of the dwellings.

The Encyclopedia of Vernacular Architecture of the World defines "vernacular architecture" as:

"As yet there is no clearly defined and specialized discipline for the study of dwellings or the larger compass of vernacular architecture. If such a discipline were to emerge it would probably be one that combines some of the elements of both architecture and anthropology with aspects of history and geography"

Fathy's design principles that were incorporated in the design of New Gourna include:

• the Mashrabiya (a wood lattice or trellis used to control the air flow, reduce the air temperature, increase the humidity of the air current, as well as provide privacy
  

The concept of the Mashrabiya works well in the absence of windows, windows are not extremely available as construction waste (local materials). A lattice type covering will offer privacy as well as allow air into the space for cooling purposes while blocking the majority of the direct sun light.

• the Malqaf (a device used to capture wind at a high point of the dwelling)
  

Conventional HVAC will not be an option for this community and using natural energy techniques to cool the dwelling works well with the economical constraints while also providing solutions to cooling with green strategies in practice.

• the Loggia (an arcade on the side of a building used to provide comfortable breezes)
  

Most likely the best way to make outdoor spaces more comfortable in hot arid climates, the techniques used can not only be applied to the walls of the dwellings but the sitting ob buildings can great the same affect for common outdoor gathering areas rendering these spaces more susceptible to greater, more productive use.

• Orienting the dwelling based on wind patterns and sun angles
  

The wind patterns noted on the site study along with the angle of altitude of ~58 degrees will allow me to develop and test plans, sections, and site orientation that will provide the optimal orientation for each dwelling. This will also intact help provide a more acceptable climate without the aid of mechanical assistance.

• The angle of the roof to control heat gain
  

Materials and surfaces in conjunction with the angle of the roof will complement the climate advantages I will be able to gain with the sitting of the dwellings, as well help shape the malqaf for optimal wind capture.

• The use of local and available materials
  

The local construction industry is always on the go, construction sites pop of all over town from on the strip to old residential neighborhoods to brand new ones and everywhere else in-between. In the last quarter of 2007 construction waste amounted to over 1200 tons, nearly 400 tons of construction a month that was collected and sorted for recycling.

• Designing for the user
  

Designing for the end user is also another concept that is as old as the ages that sometimes is overlooked. The shelters today that are the providing shelter for the homeless have turned into more than can be handled. The programs and square footages of the facilities are large and wide spreading yet only helping a small numbers, this can be reversed if the focus shifts to providing targeted areas of support. Instead of providing a shopping list of amenities, shelter should focus on individual items; in the area there are several places, yet to small to really help. By providing a village for the homeless community to live in will free up the shelters to focus on supply medical care, job placement, skill workshops and no how many they have room for tonight, why people cannot bring in with them their possessions, etc.

• Teaching/providing the residents the skill needed to build and also provide a useful trade
  

Teaching and providing shills to take out into Las Vegas can help several groups of people… first and foremost the homeless, by potentially learning new skills they could quickly become part of the construction force that is part of our valleys economy. Employers can have a community outreach program where time can be donated to assist in the success of the Rethink Village. Lastly the shelters will start to see some relief on their already overburdened resources.

It is important to note that while these two cultures are very different, thousands of miles apart, building materials may differ, technology surges, and decades apart there is a common link... designing for the poor. Designing dwellings for the homeless should incorporate letting them build their own shelters; with the right skills and materials I suggest that a better solution will appear; better than any social program can provide. Incorporating these architectural principles, a superior living arrangement can be afforded to those with little to no stable income.

Bibliography

Fathy, Hassan. Architecture for the Poor : An Experiment in Raul Eqypy. 2. Chicago: The University of Chicago, 1976.

—. Natural energy and vernacular architecture : principles and examples with reference to hot arid climates. Edited by Walter Shearer and Abd-el-rahman Ahmed Sultan. Chicago: Published for the United Nations University by the University of Chicago Press, 1986.

Oliver, Paul. Encyclopedia of vernacular architecture of the world. Edited by Paul Oliver. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1997.