Farmworker Housing Pilot Project

Project Type:
architecture

Project Mission/Goal:
improve the human spirit
increase awareness of the environment and/or address climate change
respond to our growing need for clean water, power, shelter, healthcare, education
address humanitarian crises

Project Description:
The goal is to create low-cost, prefab, sustainable housing for under-served Washington state farmworkers that vastly improves their living and working condition and can be extrapolated to address seasonal worker housing needs across the country.

In Washington state, tens of thousands of farmworkers compete for a limited supply of affordable housing. Many resort to overcrowded and substandard units, or camp out in cars or tents along riverbanks. Sponsored by the Seattle Archdiocesan Housing Authority (AHA), the Farmworkers Housing pilot project was created to provide affordable housing for farmworkers and their families. With a grant from Enterprise Community Partners, the design and construction team was charged with creating a new type of green seasonal housing that meets the Washington State Farmworker Housing Trust’s goals for livability and employs environmentally sustainable methods and materials.

The pilot project consists of designing and constructing three different types of prefabricated modules: light green, green, and bright green. All three are 580 square feet in size, while their amenities and green features vary. The bright green unit is designed to Net Zero energy use and includes solar power and hot water, passive heating and cooling strategies, advanced framing techniques for a more efficient envelope, ultra-low flow plumbing fixtures, Energy Star appliances, and FSC certified wood. Based on interviews with farmers and farmworkers in the Skagit Valley, all three module types are designed to be “family-friendly,” afford privacy, and provide flexible indoor and outdoor living areas for four people.

The first constructed units will be located on two farms in Skagit Valley. A third location in Yakima is being pursued. These prototypes will be occupied upon delivery, but open to the public by appointment.

Links:
http://mithun.com/projects/project_detail/farm_worker_housing/
http://www.cedarrivergroup.com/?s=casestudies&aid=6
http://www.farmworkerhousingtrust.org/
http://www.ccsww.org

Caption:
http://openarchitecturenetwork.org/sites/openarchitecturenetwork.org/fil...
© Mithun, Inc.
Low-cost prefab housing concept. One of several designs in varying "shades of green".
CC: All Rights Reserved.

Project Details:
Location: Western Washington, United States
Concept/Lead Architect(s)/Designer(s): Mithun
Project Architect(s): Richard Franko
Year (s): 2008 - 2009
Client:
User Client: Seattle Archdiocesan Housing Authority (AHA)
Number of beneficiaries/users: Unknown at this time
Project Phase: Conceptual
Major Funding: Through Seattle Archdiocesan Housing Authority (AHA), Cedar River Group
Cost/Cost per unit:
Area (if applicable): 580sf (aproximately)
Structural Engineers:
Electrical/Mechanical Engineers:
Contractor/Manufacturer:
Additional Consultants: Cedar River Group, Washington State Farmworker Housing Trust
Other:

Nominated by Mahalie Stackpole

Location