Nicaragua Community Center

Project Type:
6) architecture

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

Project Description:
The SYRV Jiquilillo Community Center is located in the Chinandega region of northern Nicaragua, with a population of approximately 2,000 including the surrounding areas. It is intended to become an inspirational hub for the locals of Jiquilillo, who for most will have their first opportunity to participate in educational classes on computers, sewing, water purification, health, arts, sports and English language programs. In particular it aims to empower the local women, most of who have little schooling, employment or access to learning aids. The community center will also house a library targeted for all ages. Nearly 20 percent of Nicaragua’s people have no access to clean drinking water, which makes the education around water purification and health so important to the community. NGO’s and other volunteer organizations will work closely with the villagers to insure the center is operational and providing the necessary programs. With plans to be open four days a week, the center will be staffed by volunteers, the Jiquilillo Women’s Cooperative, and local resident, Gerry Caceres.

The 1200 sq ft building comprises of three main architectural elements - roof, container and patio. There were several architectural objectives in the building of the SYRV Jiquilillo Community Center including those of sustainability, authenticity and cultural embodiment. One of the primary focuses was the need to bring together the industrial nature of the shipping container with the local rustic construction of the roof in order to create a design that was unique in appearance whilst also being reflective of the existing building types in this rural fishing village. Sustainable elements were a key priority in that the container openings had to capitalize on the natural wind patterns to keep it cool and the roof had to be designed not only to maximize sun shading but to also accommodate solar panels and to facilitate rain water management to provide irrigation for vegetables during the dry season which is currently not practiced in this area of heavy rainfall. The roof comprises of a folded form that opens up towards the sky at one corner to create an open and inviting feel and was inspired by the graceful wingspan of the local Nicaraguan Frigate bird that soars over the adjacent Pacific Ocean.

Funded by Santa Monica, CA organization SYRV, the building of the community center utilized local Nicaraguan labor with the intermittent assistance of SYRV and other volunteer travelers in the area.

Text by: Lara Hoad

Links and Captions:
Project blog: http://syrv-makegoodhappen.ning.com/

Project Details: (Please complete as applicable)
Project Location: Chinandega, Nicaragua
Date(s) to estimated completion: October 2010
Project Phase: Final
Client: SYRV [makegoodhappen]
User Client: Jiquilillo Women’s Coop and villagers
Description and Number of Beneficiaries/Users: 1,000
Major Funding: SYRV [makegoodhappen]
Concept/Lead Architect(s)/Designer(s): Lara Hoad
Project Architect(s)/Designer(s): Lara Hoad
Structural Engineers:
Electrical/Mechanical Engineers:
Contractor/Manufacturer: Gerry Caceres
Additional Consultants: Todd Erlandson, Bayardo Mendoza
Total Cost/Cost per Unit:$13,000.00
Area (if applicable): 1200 sq ft
Other:
Photo/Image Credit(s): Monique Evans, Holly Beck, Natalie Davis, Lara Hoad
File Specifications:

Nominated by Cameron Sinclair

Location