The social catastrophe of Latin America has its epicenter in the popular settlements. It is in Latin America, the most urbanized and unequal region in the world, where 104 million people live in popular settlements. Here, 1 of every 4 inhabitants of urban areas, lives in a slum, villa, favela or camp, in a situation of poverty. These populations must subsist by their own means, with the constant violation of their rights.

For this competition, Archstorming is working together with the NGO TECHO Mexico. TECHO Mexico builds emergency houses for people from all across the country. TECHO’s current emergency house is based on a modular design of 18 square meters, removable and transportable, structurally composed of wood and covered with fiber cement. Archstorming is calling for proposals to redesign the current emergency house model of TECHO. The winning proposal will be built all across the country for those who need it.

The aim of this project is to design a temporary shelter for those who don’t have a place to live.

The main goals of this competition are: 

• Reduce build times and the logistical difficulties that the current model present.
• Decrease the assembly complexity from the manufacturing process.
• Increase the lifespan of foundations and structures as well as improve the almost nonexistent thermal insulation.
• Facilitate the future growth of the house unit (modular).
• Increase the flexibility to locate the house’s doors and windows.
• Possibility to add extra modules to the house (bathroom, kitchen or others)
• Use sustainable and easy to get materials.
• Have a more liveable space as a house.