Seismic Resistant Housing Pakistan
This project involved building multiple, seismic-resistant homes in the earthquake devastated region of Northern Pakistan. In addition, it promoted the use of traditional local building techniques and created livelihoods and skills training for local people.
Project Type: Architecture
Project Mission/Goal: Improve the human spirit. Respond to our growing need for clean water, power, shelter, healthcare, education. Address humanitarian crises.
Project Description:
In 2005 Northern Pakistan was devastated by an earthquake causing over 70,000 deaths and making millions homeless. Inadequate standards of construction and poor materials were the root causes of many of the collapsed buildings and loss of life. It was extremely important that reconstruction addressed these issues, and ensured that any new buildings were earthquake resistant and provided greater protection in the face of future seismic events. This programme of houses was delivered despite the challenges of the remote mountainous location, extreme weather conditions and limited capacity of the local construction industry. The model homes were developed to be built by locals workers using local materials with each home providing resistance to earthquakes and greater security to their residents.
From the outset beneficiaries were able to assume full ownership of the rebuilding through extensive community participation – identifying genuine needs, contributing reclaimed building materials of timber and stone and learning new construction skills. Article 25 modified local traditional ‘dhaji da’ construction techniques using lightweight components and simple reinforcements to improve its earthquake resistance. In comparison to concrete equivalent homes, these buildings not only perform better, but reduce construction cost by approximately two thirds.
After an earthquake, construction skills are often drawn to high value commercial work, leaving community building projects poorly resourced. This collaboration between Article 25 and Muslim Aid provided a platform for greater skills training and increased community engagement in the reconstruction effort. Article 25 oversaw the construction of approximately 60 homes. The skills training provided by each home enabled the construction to continue long after Article 25’s work was complete.
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Project Details:
Project Location: Bagh, Azad Jammu & Kashmir and Jareed, North West Frontier Province, Pakistan.
Date(s): November 2006 to July 2008
Project Phase: Complete
Client: Muslim Aid UK, Muslim Aid Pakistan
User Client: : People unable to rebuild for themselves; orphans, widows, young children, those with disabilities and those living in extreme poverty.
Description and Number of Beneficiaries/Users: Approx 500
Major Funding: Muslim Aid
Concept/Lead Architect(s)/Designer(s): Article 25
Project Architect(s)/Designer(s): Article 25
Structural Engineers: Local Community with Article 25 supervision
Electrical/Mechanical Engineers: Local Community with Article 25 supervision
Contractor/Manufacturer: Local Community with Article 25 supervision
Additional Consultants: Drawings were submitted to NESPAK (National Engineering Services Pakistan ltd) & ERRA (Earthquake Reconstruction & Rehabilitation Authority) for approval.
Total Cost/Cost per Unit: $4,000
Area (if applicable): 49-72m²
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Nominated by Article 25
