‘project z’ by global architecture brigades, zuzular, hondurasimage © GAB
global architecture brigades is a program of the largest student-led nonprofit organization in the world. dedicated to alleviating community needs in health and education through design and hands-on construction, the organization brings together local governments and skilled masons with a global network of eager students across disciplines. architecture brigades specifically work in honduras, one of the poorest countries in the western hemisphere, to develop responsive infrastructural projects aimed at holistic development. this sustainable model weaves architecture with medical, dental, public health and water brigades to solve a cross-section of societal issues. eco-stoves and latrines combat preventable illnesses, while the architecture built by the brigades further serves multiple programs such as clinics, community centers and schools. lastly, a water brigade constructs a full scale clean-water system that works in conjunction with newly introduced rainwater collection structures.the model is self-sustaining; rapid assessments by a first wave of medical clinics help identify specific communities with architecture needs. these evaluations lead to dialogue with health and education ministries, the local government as well as the town’s inhabitants to ensure that community members are willing and ready to undertake a construction project. with architecture brigades acting as a contractor, schools in zurzular and santa rosa, honduras as well as a clinic and community center are well underway in the honduran mountain town of el canton. the process is grounded in collaboration, consideration and sensitivity. students are immersed in a country with a rich building culture, an inherently sustainable lifestyle and a tradition of strong community involvement.
‘project z’ by global architecture brigades, zuzular, honduras
image © global architecture brigades
project z is now a fully functioning school
image © GAB
‘project z’ by global architecture brigades, zuzular, honduras
image © GAB
corrugated metal roof canopyimage © GAB
view below the roof structureimage © GAB
stepped roof system provides ample ventilation
image © GAB
covered exterior patioimage © GAB
classroomimage © GAB
view of project z image © GAB
brigadier lydia slocum attests:
I saw, first-hand, the power of a building to shape a community. The schools in Santa Rosa and Zurzular are centers in their communities, serving not only the students who will attend classes there but the entire population in the surrounding towns. Seeing the role of building in this light was extremely motivating as I move forward in the design world.
exterior wooden veranda on the second floorimage © GAB
classroom in timber structureimage © GAB
stepped corrugated roof planes block out direct light and utilize effective cross ventilation techniquesimage © GAB
image © GAB
the school under constructionimage © GAB
primary wooden structureimage © GAB
image © GAB
concrete block wall substructure on a concrete foundationimage © GAB
roof support systemimage © GAB
footprint of project z image © GAB
concrete baseimage © GAB
basic CMU’s are used in the structuresimage © GAB
the primary school in the ‘centro basico’ of santa rosa is expanded by brigadiers
image © GAB
student volunteers construct the trusswork on another school in santa rosa
image © GAB
the roof is raised to optimize ventilationimage © GAB
the organization is now in a position to develop design competitions, the first and latest of which called for a multi-functioning clinic and communitycenter. the winning entry has already broken ground in el canton, where a massive space for a retaining wall has been carved out and a steppedfoundation has been laid out. the rapid turnover, exponential growth and holistic model are a testament to design in the service of humankind.
the third and newest project requires a massive retaining wall
image © GAB
recycled tires and basic CMU blocks make up the beginnings of the clinic
image © GAB
design and hands-on construction are fundamental to every project
image © GAB