4. Spatial and Temporal Layers in Buildings

And also, this is a kind of partial upgrade with reclaimed materials they have developed with the kind of whatever, they have able to procure from the past site or with their feasibilities, they have made some modifications to their shelters. And within a month 53% of the house owners have started to upgrade their shelters and this is very quick, within a month if this kind of change is 53%.

This chunk describes a situation where homeowners are upgrading their shelters using reclaimed materials within just one month. 'Partial upgrade' indicates that these improvements do not require a complete rebuild but are rather modifications that enhance functionality and shelter quality. A significant statistic is introduced: 53% of homeowners are involved in these upgrades, pointing to a remarkable rate of change in a short time.

Think of it like updating a phone instead of getting a new one. Instead of buying a brand new house, homeowners are making smart, targeted improvements using what they already have. Just as many people may choose to update their phone's software or apps to improve performance without a total replacement, these homeowners are making significant changes to their shelters with little resources.

The priorities were first doors, second walls, and the third is windows, so the ventilation aspect. And some beneficiaries bought their own timber for walls, doors, and windows as we have seen in this complete set is in a timber.

This chunk discusses how homeowners prioritize different upgrades. The first focus is on doors for security and access, followed by walls for structural integrity and then windows for ventilation. It highlights the proactive steps taken by beneficiaries who purchase timber to fulfill these needs, reflecting a serious commitment to improving their living conditions.

Imagine you’re trying to improve your room. You might first fix the broken door for safety, then put up new walls to make it sturdier, and finally choose better windows to let in more light and airflow. Just like in this example, homeowners make sensible choices about what upgrades to address first based on their immediate needs.

Others sold a plastic sheeting and hired the local artisans to build adobe walls. So, they have given it back and they sold it in the market and they could able to get some money and they could able to put some more money and built the adobe walls.

This chunk illustrates the various strategies homeowners use when upgrading their shelters. Some chose to sell plastic sheeting to gain funds, which they then used to hire local artisans to construct more durable adobe walls. This approach underscores the importance of community and local labor in the shelter improvement process. It shows the ingenuity of individuals facing economic constraints.

Consider this like people who might sell old items they don’t use anymore to fund better resources. Just like how one might sell old toys to earn money for new furniture, these homeowners find ways to finance their upgrades by making smart financial decisions.

As Christopher Alexander describes, a house is an activity which is ‘created gradually, as a direct result of living which is happening in it and around it’ by people who spend only what they can afford.

This quote emphasizes the concept that housing is more than just a physical structure; it’s a dynamic process shaped by the lives of the individuals residing in it. It suggests that houses evolve as people inhabit them and make modifications according to their needs and financial capacities. This vision pushes against the notion of a static, finished product and instead promotes an understanding of homes as living entities.

You can think of a house like a garden. Just as a garden grows and changes based on the seasons and the gardener's care, so does a house develop over time as its owners live and interact with it. It’s not static; it reflects the lives and choices of its residents.

John Habraken supports on 3 levels of decision making; one is the tissue and the support which is the base building. The tissue refers to the urban fabric and the support refers to the base building and the fitout refers to the infill, what the people have done in their houses.

In this chunk, the concept of decision-making in building processes is explored through three distinct layers. 'Tissue' refers to the broader urban environment, 'support' to the foundational aspects of buildings, and 'fitout' to the personal modifications individuals make within their spaces. This model helps to understand different stakeholder roles in the design and construction process.

Think of making a sandwich. The bread represents the 'tissue' (the overall layout and architecture), the filling is the 'support' (the structural stability), and the toppings added by individuals to customize their sandwiches represent the 'fitout.' Each layer has its importance, and together, they create a complete and enjoyable meal—or home.

Buildings are also essentially made of 6 time bound layers. This is a space-time phenomenon which Ian Bentley also talks about it. One is a site, which generally does not change, although a few buildings are transportable.

This section introduces Ian Bentley's concept of six temporal layers in buildings. The first layer, the site, is typically static. However, this contrasts with various other elements of a building that can change over time, such as structure, skin, services, space plan, and stuff. Recognizing these layers helps understand how buildings adapt over time.

You can think about a building like a living organism. While the ground (the site) it stands on may remain eternal, its outer clothing (skin), functionality, and furnishings can evolve. It’s like how a person changes their outfit or hairstyle while staying the same at their core.

One has to look at the livelihoods framework, it is not just only a shelter and this is where the defeats ASAL framework to sustainable livelihood framework is very apt and considering because how an individual or communities or social groups can access certain resources.

This chunk stresses the necessity of taking a holistic view of housing that transcends merely physical shelter. It involves understanding how livelihoods contribute to housing improvements. The framework suggests that various resources—social, economic, human, and natural—are fundamental for a community’s ability to thrive, particularly in the context of vulnerabilities that influence their circumstances.

Imagine building a community garden. It’s not just about the physical plot of land. You also need the right materials, knowledge, and support systems to make it successful. Similarly, communities need various resources—like financial support and skills—to improve their shelter and overall quality of life.

The enabling approach recognizes the bottleneck to housing created by limited access to finance. So, we talked about cash flows, we talked about how at a stage-wise, how we can deliver the financial disbursement.

This chunk discusses the 'enabling approach' which aims to facilitate housing development by addressing financial barriers. Limited access to finance is identified as a major hurdle. The approach involves creating a system for financial support to gradually aid housing creation rather than presenting all funds at once, which may overwhelm stakeholders.

Think about a school fundraisers where students ask for donations over time instead of asking for a large amount at once. It eases the process, making it manageable for families and encouraging overall participation. The same concept applies to housing finance here.

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