By Neil LeMieux | Treasurer,Board of Directors, Construction Advisor
Sustainable Healthcare For Haiti’s (SHH) construction and design team have collaborated extensively, and have recently completed preliminary design on the new modular (and expandable) Health Clinic for the Foundation Montesinos (FM) Orphanage, in Titanyen, Haiti.
The new structure is proposed to be set adjacent to existing Foundation Montesinos Classrooms, Kitchen, and existing Assembly areas. Proximity to the existing spaces noted above will enhance efficient use of the clinic, coordination with the school/orphanage, and effective security during Clinic off hours.
The New Clinic will be simple and efficient built from durable and local building materials, in addition to maximized use of local Haitian trades for construction of the facility. The building will meet design standards for durability and strength to the highest level, in addition to meeting U.S. standards for wind and earthquake resistance. The following local materials and trades will be used: reinforced concrete foundation, reinforced masonry exterior walls, stucco coatings, single slope metal roof system (with rainwater capture) adhered to hurricane force winds (local) steel sub framing. Also, local Haitian metalwork skills will be an important (and effective) design element for window and door security grilles, common to the area.
The design also takes into account the very limited local natural resources available. All electricity needed to operate the clinic will be run from rooftop solar photovoltaic (PV) panels. These panels will also be secured with perimeter (locally made) metal grilles and security screens, to ensure long term use of the PV panels and battery storage electrical systems. Water use in the clinic will be minimal, for handwashing only. Restrooms are available in adjacent buildings, which eliminates the need for restrooms within the Clinic. Water will be pumped to the clinic from the existing well, for use in the New Clinic. Water conservation is a paramount concern in addition to sanitation which must be maintained at all times.
New construction in Haiti must always consider local material availability, local skilled labor, in addition to constructing resilient, safe, durable, and efficient structures. We feel that our current Clinic design meets these goals, and will house effective healthcare for the Foundation Montesinos orphanage, for years to come.
Project reports on GlobalGiving are posted directly to globalgiving.org by Project Leaders as they are completed, generally every 3-4 months. To protect the integrity of these documents, GlobalGiving does not alter them; therefore you may find some language or formatting issues.
If you donate to this project or have donated to this project, you can recieve an email when this project posts a report. You can also subscribe for reports without donating.
Support this important cause by creating a personalized fundraising page.
Start a Fundraiser
