10 Ecological Principles

1. Work with patterns and tendencies that are intrinsic to the natural/existing condition (environment) on the site.

2. Where possible, use natural materials and traditional ‘sustainable’ techniques in the construction of structures.

3. Consider the flow of materials (extraction, processing, manufacturing, and transport) used in the construction of the Rancherias.  (EMBODIED  ENERGY)

4. Design and orientate all structures to take into account both thermal mass and solar gains

5. The Rancherias should be designed so they are self sufficient. The Wayuu should be able to maintain their structures without excessive external support.

6. Plan to maximize agricultural yield to sustain Wayuu food supply and generate a platform for trade.

7. Consider and expand, where possible, existing water sources, and develop strategies for water collection for the Wayuu communities.  (rainwater harvesting, irrigation, collection ponds etc)

8. Construct a network of infrastructure (road, electrical, plumbing).

9. Use soil in a cyclical manner to build and unbuild.

10. Consider the health and safety of the Wayuu in respect to their environment.

Cyclical Development of a Rancheria

Masterplan

Organizational Strategies

After looking at existing conditions of our site (soil characteristics, placement of the lagoon, pathways to the cemetery, and availability of local materials) we  approached agricultural implementations, with the use of soil for construction, and new infrastructure with a more nomadic structure. 

The site is located at the intersection of  rich soil conditions to plant  palm tress for food production and natural fiber harvesting on the east and west, and clay soil which is optimal for building located at on the northern coast and south .

Considering Wayuu's semi-nomadic customs, defining the elements of permanence, such as street networks connecting to water sources needs to be added as an another layer.

Ultimately we had to weave the existing fabric of the site with new threads based on new material transportation network.

We decided to place educational  and cultural programs as permanent structures, and  make them accessible from each rancheria within 15 minutes walking distance.

Program Matrix

Creating a masterplan is concurrent with developing a matrix.  We analyzed both existing and proposed programs by subdividing them into agricultural, cultural/educational, commercial, residential, and infrastructural categories which follow our ecological principles.

The enramada, bedroom, and kitchens are major concerns from the level of porosity.   

Looking at scale and the need for access to certain program by wayuu community or people outside their community helped us determine their possible locations. (ex. commercial gallery on major road,  though schools and clinics are inset to be shared by only Wayuu community. )

Back to Materials

After further researching the potential for growing rattan in the La Guajira region, we decided that the cultivation of this crop would not meet our principles for ecological design. Although is able to grow in Colombia, the conditions on the la Guajira peninsula are not favorable for the cultivation of rattan. Palm, on the other hand, is a crop that is currently able to grow in the region, and is in fact, one of the top exports of the department of La Guajira, under tobacco, yuca, and plantain.

Diagraming the Site

How do we design a masterplan for a semi nomadic people?

Masterplan

The preservation of culture does not depend on the uniformity of design or materials, nor does it come about through the absence of changes such as the introduction of new techniques or the use of new materials.

Designing a masterplan for the Wayuu will involve a complex process of adaptation and assimilation. Our challenge becomes how to introduce new material, that seamlessly adjust to evolving values and spatial characteristics of the Wayuu, whilst maintaining continuity to their traditions and lifestyle.

Sustainable Weaving?

Whilst researching, diagramming and analyzing objects used by the Wayuu, we became particularly interested in their predominant use of cotton, and its production in the larger scale. We then explored and compared three natural fibers: cotton, jute and rattan.

Our research sparked an interest for us both in a potential way for the Wayuu to engage in a sustainable approach to their tradition of weaving.

Weaving and Material Studies

 

Although we applied the same weaving technique of weft woven through a warp, each material required unique processes and had distinct final qualities.

Rattan in particular, required the most labor and space, yet it had stronger structural properties in comparison to cotton and jute.  

Diagram of Objects in Space in the Wayuu Community

Diagram of World Cotton Trade and Production Process

It is important to look at the trade of cotton at the global scale. Columbia is the 34^TH largest producer of cotton in the world, exporting 0.1 million bales annually. Although some Colombian cotton is exported to Peru, most is processed internally.

The major cotton exporters are the USA, Franc Zone, Uzbekistan, Australia and India.

This comparison of three natural fibers illustrates their distinct production processes.Cotton and jute require shorter cultivation (between 4 and 7 months), however they both need a large amount of manufacturing in order to arrive at their final product. Rattan takes far longer to cultivate (between 6 and 7 years) but can be processed entirely by hand.

Matrix of Natural Fibers

Three distinct materials are analyzed through five separate phases, from the scale of  global trade to the material's tectonics.