4.1. Understanding Building Layers

And also, this is a kind of partial upgrade with reclaimed materials they have the 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 discusses how house owners are progressively upgrading their shelters using reclaimed materials and other available resources. In just a month, over half (53%) of the house owners engaged in these upgrades, reflecting a rapid response to improving their living conditions. This highlights the idea that shelter improvement can be an incremental process driven by the needs and capabilities of the homeowners.

Consider a community where families are rebuilding after a disaster. Each household may gradually collect bricks and wood from the debris around them to fix their homes. Just like gathering materials from a shared workspace, these families work with what they have and make progress at a pace that feels achievable.

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.

In upgrading their shelters, house owners prioritize specific elements: doors first, followed by walls, and then windows. This highlights the importance of accessibility and ventilation in making a space livable. Many beneficiaries took initiative by purchasing timber to install these critical features, which showcases their agency in improving their conditions.

Imagine upgrading a car. You might need to start with the tires (doors) for safety, followed by the bodywork (walls) to protect you, and finally, the windows for visibility. Each step is important, but starting with the essentials leads to a functional vehicle.

Some 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.

Here, we see the economic aspect of upgrading shelters. Some homeowners sold plastic sheeting to hire local artisans for building more durable adobe walls. This shows a community-driven approach to home improvement, where resources circulate within the community and contribute to better living conditions.

Think of a neighborhood potluck where everyone contributes a dish. By sharing food, you collectively enhance the gathering. Similarly, in this community, homeowners are exchanging resources and services to create a better living environment for all.

So, 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 chunk emphasizes that a house is not just a structure, but an evolving space shaped by the inhabitants' experiences and needs. Christopher Alexander's view reinforces the idea that building and improving living spaces is a continual process, influenced by personal choices and financial capacities.

Think of a recipe that you adjust every time you make it. Depending on what ingredients you have and your personal taste, you're creating a unique dish each time. A house, similarly, becomes uniquely yours as you personalize and modify it over the years.

Buildings are also essentially made of 6 time bound layers. This is 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 the concept of buildings consisting of six different layers that change over time. Ian Bentley emphasizes that while the site generally remains constant, layers such as structure, skin, services, and internal spaces can change. Understanding these layers helps us appreciate how buildings evolve and adapt over their lifespan.

Consider a smartphone. The basic device (the site) remains the same, but the operating system, apps, and even the cases might change over time. Each layer of the phone is updated independently, mirroring how different layers of a building can evolve.

And we have to understand when we are dealing with this kind of poor communities, 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.

This chunk stresses the importance of considering financial aspects and resource access in housing solutions for impoverished communities. It suggests that housing interventions should look beyond just providing shelter to include frameworks that promote livelihoods, addressing social and economic vulnerability.

Imagine a garden. Simply planting seeds (offering shelter) doesn’t ensure a fruitful harvest. You also need to ensure the soil is good, that there's water (resources), and that there’s sunshine (community support). Only then will the garden thrive—just like communities need comprehensive support to flourish.

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