Prototype building for prefabricated social housing

The project emerges as a response to the housing crisis in the Dominican Republic, where access to adequate housing is a challenge due to the scarcity of materials and the lack of skilled labor. These conditions significantly slow down construction times, causing buildings to take years to be completed.

To address this issue, the project is based on three fundamental premises: ensuring dignified housing, reducing execution time, and optimizing manufacturing costs. The proposed solution consists of an industrialized housing system with a steel structure, manufactured in Spain by a company specialized in prefabrication. This strategy allows easy access to materials and labor but introduces a key constraint: transportation. To make the proposal viable, the modules must be designed with dimensions suitable for shipping in maritime containers (2.20×11.50×3.00 m), giving the project a universal character and making it adaptable to different contexts.

Each housing unit consists of three modules. The first module concentrates all essential installations (bathroom, kitchen, drainage, and utility connections). The central module, open on its sides, generates access and connection between spaces, while the third module encloses the structure and houses part of the living room. The internal layout is efficient and functional, following a clear scheme: entry via a walkway leading to the living room, followed by the kitchen, a bathroom, and two equalsized bedrooms, enhancing versatility. The walkway not only serves as circulation and access to the housing units but also acts as a semi-private outdoor space.

To ensure comfort in the tropical climate, passive bioclimatic strategies are incorporated, such as cross ventilation, effective thermal insulation, ceiling fans, and solar protections.

The flexibility of the modular system allows for multiple configurations and groupings, adapting to various regulations and site conditions. The project is currently in the process of seeking investors and acquiring land in the Dominican Republic for its development.