Architecture For Humanity Collaborative Studio

The University of Southern California School of Architecture collaborated with Architecture for Humanity to develop a pre-fabricated “Core” to support the plumbing, electrical, and heating for a single-family home. Shippable by a small, air-freight shipping container, the Pre-Fab Core can be deployed rapidly anywhere in the world to remediate rural housing and rebuild disaster areas. The Core will enable homes to operate off-grid, generating its own power, with self-sustaining heating, cooling, and water collection systems. Architecture for Humanity is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization that seeks architectural solutions to humanitarian crisis and brings design services to communities in need. We believe that where resources and expertise are scarce, innovative, sustainable and collaborative design can make a difference. The Navajo Nation is a semi-autonomous Native American homeland covering about 26,000 square miles across Arizona, Colorado, and New Mexico. The Nation encompasses the land, kinship, language, religion, and the right of its people to govern themselves. Nearly 190,000 people live within the boundaries of the Navajo Nation, many in traditionally rural Navajo dwellings.

This studio consisted of three project phases:
[1] Alternative Masonry Unit : A new prototype for concrete blocks for use in developing countries, the AMU uses novel recipies for concrete that utilize waste products with no caloric value, and provides a small insulative effect. Dimensions are 20”x10”.
[2] Prefab Utilities Core : Designed for use in remote areas where off-grid is the only option, the PreFabCore houses all of the utilities and services required to run a single family dwelling. Sustainable elements are included to harvest sun, rain, and wind sources. The total contents of the PreFabCore are designed to be shipped in an air freight container and installed on-site.
[3] Rapid-Build Navajo House : Integrating the previous two projects, the house is designed to be manufactured primarily off-site for assembly in remote locations. Sited in the Navajo Nation in the high desert of Northern Arizona, designing for the extreme climate swings is crucial.

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