A transitional school utilizes the rapid assembly of a framework adaptable to temporary and, later, permanent components. Architecture for Humanity is exploring an accessible system to produce several transitional schools for Haiti's reconstruction. The system on this page envisions a hybrid of an imported kit-of-parts and local materials and masonry foundation. A series of 16'x32' schoolhouses can form a modest but sound complex of classrooms, administration buildings, cooking and eating areas.

Preliminary costing for a transitional unit–incorporating locally-sourced foundation materials and imported structure, roof and cladding and accounting for price hikes–estimates one unit at $10,160. One unit serves 35 students at a time. A six-room school, administration buildings, cafeteria and bathrooms combined would come to about $100,000. This would serve roughly 200 students, or half the size of an average school in Port-au-Prince.

Alternatives considering Haiti's recently released school design criteria (specifying up to 50 students per classroom) imagine units measuring 20' x 40' (6.1 m x 12.2 m). Refer to the School Initiative resources file to review Haiti's school design criteria, found on the Reconstruction Page.