This project proposes a new post-disaster housing unit suited to the needs of East Boston. East Boston consists of a high socially-vulnerable population, and families rely heavily on their communities and local, family-run businesses. Climate change poses a significant threat; over the next 50 years, sea levels can rise up to 14 feet, contributing to significant inland flooding that will occur unless mitigated by further development of flood pathways. FEMA provides temporary post-disaster housing in the form of Manufactured Housing Units (MHUs), often prefabricated off-site and transported to the location in need. While these units provide to families the basic living necessities for up to 18 months, they rarely satisfy specific community needs.
The impact of this design lies in how units are aggregated and form shared spaces. The primary units consists of a one-bedroom 15' x 35' unit and a 2-bedroom unit, all scaled for backyard placement. These units are intended to be connected via a shared space; families can choose from a set of predetermined designs for child care, laundry, or kitchen. A shared kitchen, for example, allows for more sleeping space for extended families and can minimize cost for appliances.
Larger aggregation can take place in different lots around the city (ex. parking lots on high ground) with the specific aggregation of base units allowing for different community functions. Semi-private courtyards can serve as small above-ground gardens, markets, artisanal shops, bike storage, or outdoor libraries reflective of many healthy East Boston initiatives.
Assembly is from a timber frame fabricated off site, with design and aggregation of the units designed to minimize the number of unique frame parts. This reduces both cost of housing and level of skilled-labor required for assembly. Roof structure allows for more light to encourage healing post-disaster, extra ceiling space to double as storage, and for the optional placement of PV panels. At the end of 18 months, these units can be repurposed as affordable housing with the option of being bought by the occupants.
Undergraduate Thesis
Advisor Miho Mazereeuw
Spring 2022