Lecture 5 : The Role Of The Community
- NING JIA CHENG 1001436861
- Mar 2, 2016
- 2 min read
Task : Each member is required to write about 1 community architecture that has made a significant change.
Nam Dam Homestay and Community House
Nam dam is a minority village in Quan Ba District, Ha Giang - Vietnam`s northernmost province. This place is located on the top of the mountain and surrounding environment are forests and picturesque terrace fields.
The problems of this place is lacked of connection with other areas, insufficient infrastructure which resulting the villagers living in poor enviroment and their children is difficult accessibility to education because of isolated by mountains.
Throughout the whole year, there will only be a one time crop harvesting happening due to the harsh weather. As the residents and their barns are too close together will pollute the environment and causing people to have diseases. To stay secure from the diseases, they have moved to the foot of the mountain by the help from architects and the NGO of Switzerland caritas. They enhance and create opportunity for local people in that area and improve the living quality of villagers by attracting tourist to come. This will help improve the preservation of the region's identity due to the population of tourism.
The landmark of the site generates an innovative spirit while maintaining the identity of the site. The double level house functions as a space for meet ups and is also a place for local and tourist to explore around with a tiny museum with five bedrooms. The Verandah resembles the swallow's wing which locals believe it will bring good luck to the people and the site or building. Making the inner space feels like it is filled with positive enlighthening of light. Creating a kind of space that is tranquil to the mind and soul.
The choice of materials being used in this building is to keep it traditional but still remain the remnants of the past by adding in local materials. So there will be an amount of wood and earthy materials in the building.
The material of the foundation is made out of stone which plays an essential role as a prevention to erosion. This also prevents the risk of scrubbing and it keeps the interior space warm during the cold season. The internal part of the building is coated with a mixture of earth and additive to increase the strength to hold the house together minimizing cracks at walls keeping the walls looking clean.
Hence, on the second floor there is a combination of wooden floor panels and reinforced concrete structural elements. Every part of the superstructure is made out of nature to remind the visitors of the site. The timber structured roof is made by traditional methods that is used to enhance using steel joint to increase the span and creating a special kind of roof shape creating attention trying to highlight the significance of the building.
Architecture is to create a better world by solving problems of human and nature.
