Flexible and Replicable Housing in Montecristo, Bolívar | Architecture Thesis

Site Context

Montecristo is a Colombian municipality in southern Bolívar, known for its natural wealth and strategic location. It borders Achí and Tiquisio to the north, Santa Rosa del Sur, Arenal, and Río Viejo to the east, Santa Rosa del Sur to the south, and San Jacinto del Cauca to the west. This position fosters cultural and resource-sharing among nearby communities.

Montecristo boasts stunning landscapes and rich biodiversity, offering untapped potential for ecotourism. Despite challenges like limited infrastructure and informal mining, its resilient community works to improve living conditions and balance economic growth with environmental sustainability.

Montecristo has an irregular, polygonal layout with narrow, poorly maintained streets and a disorganized block distribution due to the lack of urban planning. This has made motorcycles the primary mode of transportation. Homes are scattered along the road network, often self-built with recycled materials or local wood, reflecting limited economic resources.

The proposed plan aims to improve the main road network and optimize the river axis, especially the ravine running through the town. It focuses on revitalizing riverside areas, upgrading nearby housing, and implementing solutions to mitigate annual flooding.

Design Process

To develop the project proposal, various design schemes and typologies were explored to ensure harmony with the local context. This approach led to the creation of adaptable, replicable modules that meet the diverse activities and needs of Montecristo Bolivar’s residents. Additionally, an analysis of potential housing designs was conducted, considering residents’ individual preferences and focusing on both architectural elements and supporting services to address their specific needs.

Replicable, flexible, and sustainable housing modules will be developed for Montecristo, Bolívar, to address flooding from the nearby ravine. This project aims to improve living conditions while encouraging community and mixed-use activities within and around the homes. It also focuses on enhancing public spaces, access roads, and the main local transport system—riverboat travel. Local materials, mainly wood, will be used, supported by upgrading municipal sawmills. This strategy seeks to improve residents’ quality of life and promote bioclimatic, sustainable development for resilient and harmonious community growth.

The design prioritizes bedrooms and productive spaces as the foundation for other integrated functions. Emphasis is placed on productive areas connected to a flexible space that organizes the home’s zoning. This housing module is intended for families of 4 to 6 members, featuring four two-level units elevated on a wooden deck. This design frees the ground level, creating a central communal area with green spaces for residents to enjoy, fostering interaction and community well-being.

Final Outcome

Finally, a well-organized and balanced urban layout is created that respects and enhances the main ravine axis and the municipality’s primary roads. This arrangement improves connections and accessibility within the city, benefiting local residents, and also attracts tourists and transient populations, offering a more inviting atmosphere.

The new design includes parks and recreational spaces that provide a safe environment for children. These areas, situated close to residential zones, encourage family supervision, ensuring a safer and more suitable setting for children’s play. Furthermore, they help address the lack of public spaces and green areas in the town.

A key feature of this plan is the inclusion of spaces dedicated to the care of domestic and farm animals, fostering better coexistence between humans and their pets while promoting respect for nature. These spaces are designed for community use, contributing to a healthier and more pleasant environment for everyone. The importance of green corridors is emphasized, not only for their aesthetic and recreational benefits but also for their role in strengthening social ties and enhancing collective well-being.

The architectural plans will outline the design’s technical and spatial elements, including electrical and sanitary networks, to clarify the proposed bioclimatic strategy. Detailed systems and devices will support a more sustainable living environment. This approach aims to create not only eco-friendly housing but also a positive social impact by integrating resource-efficient technologies that benefit both residents and the wider community, balancing individual comfort with collective well-being.

Incorporating these systems and carefully planning the networks will make the project a model of energy efficiency, effective water management, and reduced environmental impact. This housing design meets current needs while promoting a more sustainable future.

The objective is to develop a self-build system using locally sourced materials from the municipality, making homes more adaptable and scalable. This approach not only lowers costs and environmental impact but also encourages community involvement in the building process, offering a practical solution.

Wood is particularly notable for its flexibility, light weight, and strong seismic resistance, which minimizes foundation requirements. It has exceptional insulation properties, retaining heat up to six times better than brick. Additionally, it is fire-resistant and more durable in the event of a collapse compared to steel structures. Its use accelerates construction and cuts costs by enabling dry construction methods.

Conclusion: The final outcome goes beyond technical architecture, encompassing urban design and fostering cultural and social development for resident families. It offers a housing model combined with inclusive public spaces that accommodate both river and land transportation, supporting community interaction and connectivity.

[This Academic Project has been published with text and images submitted by the student]