ARCHSharing, in collaboration with TECHO Paraguay, has launched the "Emergency Housing in Paraguay" competition. A contest that propose to response to the lack of access to housing in Paraguay, the aim is to offer residents a building that responds to the emergency situation while guaranteeing their dignity and their right to a suitable home. The laureate will have the opportunity to build his/her project with the humanitarian association TECHO Paraguay.

The Competition

Paraguay is a country located in the heart of South America, its economy is essentially dependent on agriculture and cattle. With exports reaching the entire world, its economy has grown steadily over the last 10 years. This growth came with an unfair reality: 10% of the population owns nearly 90% of agricultural land, a situation which results in a marked social inequality and a notorious lack of opportunities for the rest of the population.

Despite all the growth of recent years, Paraguay is ranked among the poorest countries in the Americas, with more than 20% of its population below the poverty line. Lack of access to housing and public services such as health, education and food reflects this extreme poverty. Faced with this situation, TECHO Paraguay is mobilized to work with people living in informal settlements, where inequality and violation of rights is at its maximum. Their action is focused on community development, such as the construction of emergency housing. 

In this context, ARCHsharing offers, in partnership with the humanitarian association TECHO Paraguay, the construction of a prototype emergency housing. The aim is to offer residents a building that responds to the emergency situation while guaranteeing their dignity and their right to a suitable home. This housing unit will have to adapt to different uses through ingenious and relevant architectural devices. Simplicity and efficiency should be the watchword, housing should be built in just a few days, with an inexperienced workforce. Particular attention should be paid to its modularity, its ability to expand according to the means, needs and possibilities. The proposals will have to take into account the particular context of Paraguay while keeping some freedom in the design of the building.

Innovative, Standing out, Aiming further

This is the number one criterion because it is the reason for this contest. TECHO Paraguay has joined this contest precisely to receive new ideas, to see projects that are different from what already exists, to find the right solutions granting a family a more efficient and better housing.

Modular and progressive growth capacity

The housing is a prototype that will have to be flexible and adaptable because it will be reproduced in different places. Therefore its modularity is an important point to facilitate the appropriation and the adaptation according to the needs of the family. It will be necessary to think of a system that facilitates its expansion, so that it is not a precarious transitional shelter, but a home that can become more spacious and comfortable over time.

Fast, Easy, Efficient construction

Fast, easy and efficient so that the project can be implemented in the shortest time and families can participate in the construction process. The housing unit must be buildable by 5 to 10 volunteers without specific technical knowledge in two days maximum. The construction time must be optimized and logistical difficulties removed. The assembly and the manufacturing process must be easy. The parts must be able to be transported in small trucks in order to be delivered to places that are not easily accessible.

Bio-climatic approach

A bio-climatic approach is expected to offer the family a pleasant atmosphere and sustainable housing. For a good thermal comfort, particular care will have to be devoted to thermal insulation, waterproofness and heating & ventilation system. Topics such as water harvesting, resource management will also need to be addressed.

The living cell

The accommodation must be 18 m2 minimum, and must be composed of at least one module. The accommodation should be suitable for a family of 5 people. The cost will have to be minimized as much as possible. Currently TECHO is building its emergency housing between 800 and 1000 USD.

Jury Panel

Marta MACCAGLiA , Semillas para el desarrollo sostenible

Daniel Moreno Florez,  Arquitecto Daniel Moreno Flores 

A. Moscatot and L. Hollman, AToT - Arquitectos Todo Terreno

German Rodriguez Olivos, DX arquitectos

Fernando Duarte Callizo, Director de vivienda & habitat techo internacional

Awards & Prizes

1rst Prize: The Construction Of Its Emergency Housing Prototype! / Subscription to magazines / 1500€ 

2nd Prize: Subscription to magazines / 1000€ 

3rd Prize: Subscription to magazines/500€ 

10 Honorable Mention: The ARCHsharing publication 

Registration and Eligibility

Registration is open to all students of schools and universities in relation with architecture, and to young architects less than three years after graduation. Teams can be multidisciplinary (architect, engineer, landscaper, ...). An official proof will be asked during registration (student card, diploma, ...). 

Fees and Calendar

Special registration 60€: 15 August 2018 - 30 September 2018 

Normal registration 80€: 1 October 2018 - 15 October 2018

Late registration 100€: 15 October 2018 - 31 October 2018

Calendar                                                     

Registration: 15 August 2018 - 31 October 2018 

Submission: 3 November 2018 

Winners announcement: 1 December 2018 

You can register to the competition on ARCHSharing's website.

Top image courtesy of ARCHSharing

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