The research phase of the Equatorial Living Lab is a pivotal initial step in our comprehensive approach to designing sustainable housing solutions tailored for equatorial climates.
The research phase of the Equatorial Living Lab is a pivotal initial step in our comprehensive approach to designing sustainable housing solutions tailored for equatorial climates.
Faculty & Students Insights
Community Surveys
The Equatorial Living Lab’s Community Outreach Survey was conducted as part of a collaborative effort between Fourah Bay College in Freetown, Sierra Leone, and Pratt Institute in Brooklyn, New York. The objective of this survey was to gain first-hand insights into the living conditions, needs, and aspirations of local residents. This information directly informed the design and planning of sustainable, low-cost housing solutions tailored to the realities of Freetown’s equatorial climate and social context:
The survey gathered details about family structures, daily routines, and shared activities. Understanding how families live, work, and interact helped define the required spaces, including sleeping quarters, kitchens, and shared outdoor areas.
We investigated neighborhood dynamics, assessing the need for shared spaces such as gardens or playgrounds. It also examined outdoor space preferences, including the need for shade and protection from rain, which shaped the incorporation of semi-public and private outdoor areas in the designs.
To ensure cultural and environmental relevance, residents were asked about their preferences and perceptions regarding local materials such as mud brick, timber, rammed earth, and bamboo. This guided material selection for sustainability, durability, and comfort.
Questions explored access to water, sanitation, and electricity, as well as preferences for bathing, laundry, and cooking spaces. This revealed infrastructural needs and informed strategies for integrating utilities and services into the housing designs.
Participants were asked about their concerns regarding safety and their desire for homeownership. The survey also explored willingness to customize homes through self-building or extensions, providing insights into the importance of personalization and flexibility in the design.
The survey collected information on household income levels and educational backgrounds. This contextualized the economic realities of the community, helping to shape housing models that are both affordable and accessible.
Weekly Reports
Week 01
The Equatorial Living Lab aims to establish a landmark approach to developing sustainable and affordable housing in emerging nations, with the potential to offer decent living conditions to millions. In the specific case of Sierra Leone, this sector remains largely unaddressed despite a national housing deficit exceeding 300,000 units. The initial step in this endeavor involves gaining a thorough understanding of the local geographical context, specifically the topography and climate.
Students will collaborate in groups to explore the potential site for a sustainable community on the outskirts of Freetown. Their investigation will consider the physical characteristics of the land, the local flora and fauna, and the prevailing climatic conditions. The ultimate goal is to design a community that exists in harmony with its environment, minimizing the impact of human activity while implementing strategies to withstand the region’s sometimes challenging environmental factors (such as heavy rainfall, intense heat, and the risk of mudslides).
Week 02
One of the keystones of our project is the integration of food and water security into the overall design. For individuals to thrive and actively contribute to society, they must have reliable access to housing, food, and water for drinking, washing, and agricultural use. The design of this project will progress in phases. During this initial phase, we will focus on researching and developing strategies for establishing food-growing areas. However, determining the precise locations or how these spaces will be utilized by the community requires further investigation into the community’s needs and preferences. Food security can be achieved through various methods, and we will take the time to assess the benefits of each. Potential locations for food gardens include public spaces, private outdoor areas of individual units, adjacent land, or a combination of these. The final decision will be made later in the process, with community input playing a vital role.
To begin addressing food security, we will identify the primary systems and provide recommendations for their specifications. Soil testing will be conducted, and if deemed safe, fruit and nut trees will be planted. The land designated for development is currently a hillside forest with hardwood trees, situated within the city limits and near the College. We will make a dedicated effort to preserve the natural character of this hillside as part of the community’s identity.
Week 03
Building on the foundation laid by previous assignments, this project challenges you to immerse yourself in the principles of urban planning, drawing inspiration from both historical and contemporary practices. This is an opportunity to explore how community planning has evolved across cultures and to apply those lessons in creating innovative, flexible, and sustainable urban designs. Your goal is to envision an urban environment that not only adapts to unforeseen needs and accommodates multiple uses but also fosters a strong sense of community. The design should integrate food and water security, ensuring that these elements contribute to both the functionality and aesthetic appeal. Research historical and modern urban planning strategies, including fractal geometry, to inspire adaptable, multi-use spaces. Integrate food and water security into the design while ensuring accessibility and aesthetic appeal. Plan for sloping topography, efficient housing layouts, shared vertical gardens, and communal cooking areas to foster sustainability, functionality, and community interaction.
Week 04
Research and design foundation options for low-cost housing units on sloping land in Freetown, Sierra Leone. The foundation must be cost-effective, utilize locally available materials, minimize environmental disruption, and elevate the structure to mitigate flooding risks. This assignment is designed to help you think critically about sustainable construction in challenging environments while considering the socio-economic and environmental realities of the region. Use this opportunity to innovate and explore creative solutions that could have a lasting impact on the community. Shallow foundations, like strip and pad footings, are cost-effective for stable, flat sites but require contouring on slopes. Raised foundations (stilt or pile) are ideal for flood-prone or steep areas, offering stability and ventilation. Stepped foundations adapt shallow footings for slopes, while rubble trench foundations enhance drainage. Raft foundationsdistribute weight evenly, suitable for soft soils. Gabion foundations, made of stone-filled cages, prevent erosion on unstable slopes. Earthbag foundations use stacked soil-filled bags for cost-effective, durable bases. Composite foundations combine types for complex sites, ensuring stability, drainage, and adaptability.
Week 05
For this assignment, students designed a material language for housing that balances textural richness, insulation, and family customization while addressing the region’s climate and terrain challenges. Given the rainy season and frequent flooding, houses should be raised on stilts or platforms to prevent water damage. This design also creates shaded outdoor living spaces beneath the elevated homes, enhancing comfort in the region’s hot, year-round climate. The hillside location with its rocky soil and mature hardwood trees requires thoughtful planning. Use local stone and concrete foundations to prevent erosion and withstand termites. Preserve trees for shade and stability, reducing further soil loss. Incorporate sustainable bio-materials or recycled content, and consider shared walls between units to reduce costs. Design homes with modular clusters of three to four units, centralizing water access. Use masonry bases with lighter upper materials like bamboo or wood for ventilation. Include awnings or shutters on windows for weather protection. Interiors should be flexible, featuring adjustable platforms for seating and sleeping, and movable partitions for adaptable spaces. Each home should have outdoor space, optional storage or shop access, and perimeter security. Present sketches, material samples, and a written narrative explaining your sustainable design choices.
Week 06
One of the greatest challenges facing residents in Freetown is the lack of consistent water supply. The local utility with a grid designed in the colonial era was built for a population of 300,000 people; the city, within the greater limits, is now home to over 1.3 million people. Given this shortfall in infrastructure it is therefore important to devise strategies to mitigate the inconsistent supply of pipe borne water for daily activities, namely the purposes of cooking, bathing, laundry and gardening. Students will work in groups to harness the potential of locally available water resources in order to provide the community with an acceptable system for consumption of clean water, its storage and subsequent disposal which ensures a hygienic and reasonably comfortable frame of life. This should be done keeping in mind the basic tenets of this endeavour which are sustainability and community.
Final Proposals