OUR PROJECT: BAJAU INTEGRATED AREA DEVELOPMENT

PARTNER NGO:

The Team from the University of San Carlos College of Architecture and Fine Arts Institute for Planning and Design

IPD TEAM:(Right to Left)Arch’t. Yumi EspinaUSC CAFA DeanArch’t. Danny RavinaArch’t. Aldrin LuzaresArch’t. Francis DeoArch’t. Clavin ClaroKyle SuicoArch’t. Alvin PanizalesArch’t. Dia Jupista

SCHEMATIC DESIGN

SCHEMATIC DESIGN

SCHEMATIC DESIGN

SCHEMATIC DESIGN

ACTUAL CONSTRUCTION

The basic material used is Interlocking Compressed Earth Blocks (ICEB)

ACTUAL CONSTRUCTION

Each Quad is composed four dwelling units; 2 in the ground floor and 2 in the second floor.

ACTUAL CONSTRUCTION

ACTUAL CONSTRUCTION

Stair leading to the ground floor unit. Common Stair leading to the second floor units. Below the stair are 2 common toilets and baths.

The common toilet and bath under the stair.

Second Floor showing the steel C-purlin being used as floor joists.

The second floor framing viewed from the ground floor.

Views from the interior.

Completion of Phase 1 Quad Units

Effects of the Magnitude 7.2 Bohol Earthquake

The project site is filled ground, hence there were ground cracks every 3 to 4 meters.

All units survived the tremor. There were no house collapse.

For residents peace of mind, Phase 2 units were constructed with reinforced concrete columns.

This is Chrisley of RAFI COMM. These are the questions I have for you sir regarding the Bajau quads.

1. What are the practices or culture of Bajaus that you considered in designing the quads?

2. Can you briefly described the materials used in the quads? (roof, walls and etc.)

3. What is the size of the house? What was your basis for this measurement?

4. How resistant are the houses if earthquakes hit the area?

5. How replicable is the design of the quads especially to those who have limited space or budget?

Thank you sir.

My Answers:

1. What are the practices or culture of Bajaus that you considered in designing the quads?

A. The ground floors of the quad unit are elevated to sort of mimic the traditional bajau house on stilts. The current urban poor housing units where the bajaus live is a one storey single detached house with the concrete floor constructed on ground level. This design seemingly did not fit their way of living since they constructed elevated bamboo platforms within the house and on top of the floor. We saw this as an opportunity of incorporating this distinct design need to make the project user responsive. We consulted with the tribal chieftain and he agreed with our initial intent of elevating the ground floor that results in a crawlspace. We cited the benefits of the crawlspace as storage area.

B. Their practice of communal sharing and strong affinity for the common good made possible for the designers to come up with the quadruplex building with common toilet and bath. The open plan also resulted out of this behavior.

C. We made the quad buildings into two storey in order to accommodate with comfort the large population on a limited space considering that the bajaus are a prolific lot.

2. Can you briefly describe the materials used in the quads? (roof, walls and etc.)

Foundation: Reinforced concrete wall footing with 6” Concrete Hollow Block Zocalo

Basic Shell: For walling: Interlocking Compressed Earth Block (ICEB)*, 150mm X 300mm x 100mmFor elevated ground floor: Bamboo strip (“lipak”) on 2” x 4”

x 1.2mm with C-purlin (as joist and bridging). Alternate flooring can be 19mm thick Marine Plywood.

For Second Floor: 19mm thick Marine Plywood on 2” x 4” x 1.2mm with C-purlin (as joist and bridging). Alternate flooring can be 19mm plyboard or 19mm Fibercement Board

For Roofing: 31” x 12” x 1.5mm “Metalplas Corrugated plastic sheet on 2” x 4” x 1.2mm C-purlin

We recommended the use of ICEB after we experience several benefits that can be gained from them when we partner with PACSII, which are:

Low technology- the beneficiaries can be taught to produce the blocks. This way, the labor cost can be reduced via sweat equity or volunteer works.

The use of “anopog” (limestone) as base material which is abundant and accessible throughout the island of Cebu.

Being made of inert material with only 10% cement mixture and manually done, the block has low imbedded energy and thus it is environment friendly.Also, being of inert (non-reactive) material, the block has high thermal mass and thermal lag. High thermal mass material is good in noise reduction and high thermal lag material has high resistance to radiant heat thereby creating cooler interiors.

The reinforcement bar requirement is low. Cement mortar requirement is also low.

The finish of the block is similar to that of Mactan stone. It no longer requires plastering.

3. What is the size of the house? What was your basis for this measurement?

The gross building footprint of one unit of the quad measures 5.10 meters x 3.00 meters. This is equivalent to an area of 15.30 square meters. The modular dimension of the ICE Block was being followed in order to minimize construction material wastage. The Bajaus having nomadic attitudes do not seem attached to their domicile, so we think the 15.30 square meters does not pose a limit to their living sphere. We rather think that the whole area of the quad belongs to the families.

4. How resistant are the houses if earthquakes hit the area?

The forerunner of the ICEB dates back centuries ago, so I think this product has undergone the test of time, earthquake included. The quad has already experienced two earthquakes this year of which the intensity and magnitude were substantial. Based on the evaluation of the site engineer, there were no damage on the building.

Let me just point out some features in the ICEB construction that can withstand earthquakes:

The block has indentations and protrusions that when joined create sheer key joints. The sheer key joints unite the block to act as one whole unit instead as individual blocks.

There are holes in the block for the vertical reinforcement bars to pass through.The reinforcement bars are added protection against lateral stresses from earthquakes.

Each block weighs 7.50 kilograms and by this weight it is expected that the building is also heavy. The heaviness of the building adds to its stability.

5. How replicable is the design of the quads especially to those who have limited space or budget?

The building is replicable, low cost and low tech. Way back two decades ago I was able to design residential buildings using this technology. Currently, I have participated in the design and construction of urban poor housing projects espousing this technology.