In 2013 Typhoon Haiyan, the largest typhoon ever recorded in the Philippines, devastated several portions of the country. This resulted in more than 7,000 deaths and thousands of people were misplaced or were made homeless. The aim of this study is to design and produce a transitional shelter prototype, for the victims of typhoon Haiyan. The shelter is affordable, easy to construct using basic tools and that can provide maximum space for a family of five while being able to withstand an onslaught on another incoming typhoon. Furthermore, this paper presents a design concept for a transitional shelter incorporating the Bent Method of construction while only using locally sourced coco lumber and actual validation on a full scale prototype. In order to achieve this objective, site analysis as well as consultations and interviews with the victims were being done and the results evaluated. Second, the conceptual designs as well as the method are presented to the local government and the beneficiaries of the shelter to obtain feedback. Third, the construction of a prototype was then employed to evaluate the construction conditions as well as the spatial considerations for the users. The proposed shelter used only locally sourced materials, manpower and simple tools for a family of five members. Finally, a post evaluation analysis was conducted in order to obtain feedback on the performance of the shelter and provide future knowledge in improving the design and its use. This study shows how due to the design of the shelter, the families were able to develop their own spaces as well as make subtle design alterations according to their expanding needs. Results from these studies reveal that by understanding the needs of the users, the design and methodology of the 'I-Siguro Da-an' transitional shelter was effective and practical in providing temporary housing for the victims of the typhoon.

This study exhibits the use of participatory design in the development of a community housing project for the twelve family members of the Donnaville Homeowners Association in Barangay 177, Caloocan City, Philippines. All families have been living as informal settlers of which portions of it were considered unsafe due to recurrent flooding during heavy rains. The housing project study was part of a workshop initiated by members of the Community Architecture Network. In order to achieve this methodology, the community architects arranged workshops between members of the families. The members were divided into teams that worked separately and then collectively identify strategies in improving the design and layout of the housing unit according to the needs of each family. The teams identified various interventions in order to effectively reduce the cost of each new unit. Finally, through comprehensive discussions and exchanges between the members, the resulting layout and schematic design of the housing unit were achieved that was desirable to the families. By using participatory design in the development of a project, in this case, a community housing unit, user acceptance is therefore increased and rejection is reduced by the stakeholders.

Abstract:In 2013 Typhoon Haiyan, devastated several portions of the Philippines, which resulted in more than 7,000 deaths and thousands made homeless. The aim of this study is to propose a design of a permanent shelter as a continuation of the I-Siguro Daan Transitional Shelter, which was successfully deployed in 2014 and produce a transitional shelter prototype, for the victims of typhoon Haiyan. In order to develop the methodological design of the Permanent Shelter, the author presented several factors into consideration: the understanding how the rural communities use the present I-Siguro Daan Transitional Shelter; to further develop and improve the interior space of the shelter; to propose a better roof design; and to design a sustainable toilet and kitchen area for the users. Methodologies used in the study were the use of surveys and interactions with the community, which focuses on gaining the understanding how the communities use the present I-Siguro Daan Transitional Shelter. By exploring related case studies and literatures, site surveys and consultations with different groups, the resulting Permanent Shelter will a promising solution for improving the lives of the communities while also providing groundwork for future shelter related studies.

Evacuation centers play a vital role for natural disaster-prone countries like the Philippines. In the Philippines, a public school building serves as temporary evacuation centers for the displaced families. This study presents the design and methodology of blackboard modular furniture that can be converted to an emergency partition and storage for emergency provisions. These modular partitions provide a sense of privacy for each of the affected families, which are needed in any evacuation centers, particularly on the sick, aged, menstruating women and lactating mothers, among others. By using the participative design method, the design will therefore ensure user acceptability by the stakeholders. The resulting design allows for adaptability and portability, which therefore reduce material waste and cost. The final design was the product of the both participatory design approach while following the guidelines of the Department of Education of the Philippines.

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