Valeria alencia: Rural Social Housing ; A Holistic Approach 2008

Valencia 1
Rural Social Housing ; A Holistic Approach
Valeria Valencia
Graduate Seminar. ARCH 712
Professor Arpad D. Ronaszegi
Fall 2008

Valencia 2
Outline
I. Introduction
1. Contextual Framework
1.1 Social Housing Conditions in a World Context
1.2 Social Housing Conditions in Ecuador
1.2.1 National Efforts to Solve the Country’s Housing Deficit
1.2.1.1 History of Housing Institutions in Ecuador: MIDUVI Bonus Program
1.3 Ecuadorian Socio-Political and Economical Context
1.3.1 Ecuadorian Economic Context
1.3.2 Ecuadorian Political Context
1.4 Conclusion
2. Theoretical Framework
2.1 Housing as a Human Right
2.2 Human-Housing: Differences Between House and Home
3. Conceptual Framework
3.1 Architecture is a Social Art: Understanding Human Needs
3.2 Translations of the Needs for Human Self-Actualization into Design; The Home Self-
Actualization Theory.
3.3 Reinterpretation of the Home Self-Actualization Theory: Holistic Design
4. Analysis of Holistic Design Elements and their Application to Rural Social Housing
4.1 Functionality
4.2 Interaction
4.3 Identity
4.4 Perception
4.5 Growth
5. Conclusion

Valencia 3
Precedent
In February of 2007 the Ecuadorian government by the Ministry of Urban Development
and Housing, (MIDUVI), duplicated the amount of a monetary bonus that is given to low-income
families to build their own house. This bonus is now of $3,600 USD. With this money the families
have to find contractors who can build them a 36 square meters (392 SQFT) house.
Because of the limited budget, architects are usually not involved in the design process
and contractors are not responsible for design. The majority of design proposals are based on an
obsolete housing prototype that has been used by the MIDUVI for many years. Therefore, the
actual solutions do not address any, human or sustainable aspects in the design that could help
to improve the quality of life of the inhabitants, the identity of the place and the connection
between buildings as a part of a larger community.
Introduction
This paper will explore the idea of holistic design as a new approach to improve the
human quality of the current housing solutions proposed through the MIDUVI by applying the
user’s psychological needs into the design efforts.
ho·lism : a theory that the universe and especially living nature is correctly seen in terms
of interacting wholes (as of living organisms) that are more than the mere sum of
elementary particles. 1
The paper will be divided in four parts. First, it will give a contextual framework about
social housing conditions in the world and specifically in Ecuador. Second, it will define a
theoretical framework about housing and social housing. Third, it will describe a conceptual
framework by studying the idea of holistic growth. Fourth each element that conforms the
1 Merriam- Webster´s Online Dictionary. s.v. “Holism”.
http://www.merriamwebster.com/dictionary/holistic(accessed October 3, 2008).

Valencia 4
concept of holistic design (growth, perception, identity, interaction, and functionality) will be
examined individually. Different theoretical studies and case studies will be researched on each
component of holistic design to find their best architectural implementation in social housing
design.
1. Contextual Framework:
1.1 Social Housing Conditions in a World Context
The social housing deficit is an unavoidable consequence of the socio economic
circumstances that affect Latin America. The rapid demographic growth 2 , the insufficient
application of economic policies and the higher levels of sub and unemployment have
produced, among other consequences, a high deficit of housing in the region. According to the
data provided by the International Center of Development Investigations, the housing deficit in
Latin America goes up to a 40% compared with European countries that have a deficit of only
the 7%. 3 Housing dearth also includes issues such as land property, basic services, financing
forms, environmental health, urban planning, and public policies, among others. The percentages
showed do not only represent a quantitative shortfall but also a qualitative absence 4 .
1.2 Social Housing Conditions in Ecuador
The Ecuadorian housing deficit surpasses the 850,000 units. There is the need of 350,000
new houses, 350,000 renovations and 150,000 housing reconstructions. Also, each year 55,000
2 In Latin America and The Caribbean, the population grew from 166 million people in 1950 to 513 million people
in 2000 and there is the expectation that it will grow to more that 800 million in the year 2050. “Latin America and
Caribbean Population”, International Center of Tropical Agriculture, CIAT, http://gisweb.ciat.cgiar.org/population/
(accessed October 2, 2008).
3 Esteban Torres, “Vivienda Social dentro del Modelo de Desarrollo Comunitario” (Social Housing under the Model
of Communitarian Development). Architecture Thesis, Pontífica Universidad Católica del Ecuador (Catholic
University of Ecuador); Quito-Ecuador, 2006: 14.
4 Kerstin Sigbo, “Vivienda y desarrollo –un estudio de ocho proyectos realizados en Ecuador” [Housing and
Development – an Study of Eight Projects Realized in Ecuador]. Architecture Thesis, Lund University Housing
Development & Management; Lund AB-Sweden, 2005: 22.

Valencia 5
new families are formed and the population increases annually in a 3%, which raises the demand
for houses. 5
There are two main limitations that constrain the possibilities of a low-income family to
access credit to buy a house. First, an economic limitation; the amount of money needed to buy
elemental food and supplies for a family has a value of $ 507,32 USD. 6 Surprisingly, the
minimum monthly wage is only $ 160 USD. 7 The second reason is the high level of subemployment
and unemployment that are 47% and 11% respectively. 8
1.2.1 National Efforts to Solve the Country’s Housing Deficit
There are three types of organizations that try to diminish the need of social housing in
Ecuador. The first group is non-profit private organizations, they are mainly NGO’s (nongovernmental
organizations), which have an honest commitment but do not have the sufficient
funds to make a great impact on their projects. The professionals in the housing market form the
second group. This group is mainly interested in the revenue that they can get by selling houses
making a business in the provision of this human right to the poor. Currently the informal market
of houses produces in the private side 18,000 housing units per year. 9 The third group is public
organizations that are supported by the government and respond to social needs. Because of the
governmental financial support to build new houses, this last group has the potential to create a
great impact in the future of social housing. Nevertheless attention should be paid to the way that
5 Sigbo, 22.
6 Instituto Nacional de Estadística y Censos INEC [National Institute of Statistics and Census]. s.v. “Canasta
Básica”. http://www.inec.gov.ec/web/guest/ecu_est/est_eco/ind_eco/ipc/inf_act_ind/ser_his.
(Accessed October 5, 2008).
7 “Economia Ecuatoriana en Cifras: Salario Mínimo Vital” [Ecuadorian Economy Data: Minimum Vital Wages].
Instituto Latinoamericano de Investigaciones Sociales ILDIS [Latin-American Institute of Social Investigations].
http://www.ildis.org.ec/old/estadisticas/estadisticasquince.htm. (Accessed October 5, 2008).
8 Instituto Nacional de Estadística y Censos INEC [National Institute of Statistics and Census]. s.v. “Desempleo y
Subempleo”. http://www.inec.gov.ec (accessed October 5, 2008).
9 Sigbo, 22, 23.

Valencia 6
the problem is being solved so the solutions offered do not only solve immediate needs but also
has enough long term potential to really make a difference in the fight against poverty.
1.2.1.1 History of Housing Institutions in Ecuador
The first institutions, with the support of the government, oriented to give support to lowincome
families to build a house were formed during the decade of 60’s. During the decade of
the 90’s public policies supported by the government gained strength. The main reasons of this
strength were the creation of new programs to help to reduce the housing deficit. 10
1961 Mutualista Pichincha was founded, which is the first private housing institution.
Also in the same year, the Ecuadorian Housing Bank (Banco Ecuatoriano de la Vivienda)
was founded, which is the first governmental housing institution. 11
During the following years, more bank corporations, such as La Previsiora, Guayaquil
and Benalcazar obtained the capital for the housing projects by credits or savings of the
members of the bank.
1973 The creation of the Junta Nacional de la Vivienda JNV (National Housing Institution)
formulated the first housing policies to coordinate private housing activities.
Unfortunately the institution was a complete failure because the houses were inaccessible
for more than the 90% of the population. 12
1992 The MIDUVI, (which stands for Housing and Development Ministry) was created. Into
this ministry were incorporated two organizations: the JNV and the Instituto Ecuatoriano
de Obras Sanitarias IOS (Ecuadorian Institution of Sanitation).
10 Torres, 15.
11 Banco Ecuadoriano de la Vivienda BEV [Ecuadorian Housing Bank] http://www.bevecuador.com. (accessed
October 5, 2008).
12 Torres, 16.

Valencia 7
1999 The MIDUVI improved the housing programs to make it more accessible to the poorest.
These programs included the participation of the private sector and communitarian
organization to offer housing solutions. 13
MIDUVI: Housing and Development Ministry
In January 2007 the government made a new declaration regarding the Rural and
Marginal Urban Housing Support System. In this declaration they would provide a $3600 USD
bonus to the citizens who are in the lower levels of yearly income. These individuals, must own a
piece of land but and must not own any built property. The system is based on articles of the
National Constitution:
Article 3 numeral 5: “The Politic Constitution of the Republic of Ecuador establish as one of the
fundamental duties of the State to eradicate poverty and promote economic, social and cultural
progress of its citizens”
Article 32 numeral 2, “The State is commitment to stimulate the programs of social housing to
provide the access to housing as a national right to every citizen”. 14
The MIDUVI was chosen as the main institution to manage the fulfillment of this program.
The changes made to the Rural and Marginal Urban Housing Support System in 2007 and
the declaration on housing as a National right by the new constitution, set up the a atmosphere of
hope and action to improve the social housing condition in the country. In the year 2007, 14,287
houses were built using the Housing Bonus 15 and the MIDUVI prognosticates to keep increasing
13 Ministerio de Desarrollo Urbano y Vivienda MIDUVI [Ministry of Housing and Urban Development]
http://www.MIDUVI.gov.ec. (accessed September 29, 2008).
14 “Country’s Constitution Agreement”. Sistema de Incentivos para Vivienda Rural y Urbano Marginal – SIV.
Reglamentos 2007. MIDUVI, Quito.Ecuador: 3.
15 Ministerio de Desarrollo Urbano y Vivienda MIDUVI [Ministry of Housing and Urban Development]
http://www.MIDUVI.gov.ec/Default.aspx?tabid=326. (accessed September 29, 2008).

Valencia 8
this value. Hence, the increment of quantity should be an opportunity to reconsider the quality of
the new dwellings to assure that the program achieves long-term integral solutions.
1.3 Ecuadorian Socio-Political and Economical Context
1.3.1 Ecuadorian Economic Context
According to the international parameters of development, Ecuador has been considered a
¨developing country¨ 16 for the last decades. 17
The country’s economy is vulnerable and has its major impact in the limited economy of the
poor. Between 1980 and 1998 the country’s economic growth remained limited with a 0.3% of
annual growth. In 1999 the country’s economy had its larger drop, of – 6.3% of annual growth,
which in GDP it’s equal to a reduction of – 30%, going from 2.035 to 1.429 USD.
Some of the reasons involved in this crisis could be found under different scopes.
1. - Natural. The devastation of many areas of the country by the El Niño phenomenon.
2. - Economic. The fall of the price of oil, banking problems, international finance instability.
3. - Politic. Five governments in five years
During this time the funds designated to social causes were transferred to try to cover the
high level of external debt, which reduced the investment of national funds in social housing. 18
The data from the ILDS reports an annual inflation of the 3.11%. The levels of poverty in
Ecuador, registered by the Gini 19 coefficient, show an increment from 0.44 in 1988 to 0.57 in
2000. On the year 2008, the conditions of the prognostications of the economy, besides getting
16 According with the World Bank’s 2005 inform, Ecuador occupied in 2003 the place 82 in human development
from 117 countries analized. “Institutionalism and Public Policies Inform”.
www.pnud.org.ec/boletines2005/informeDH2005. (accessed October, 12, 2008).
17 Torres, 10.
18 Torres, 10,11.
19 The Gini coefficient calculates the social inequality and it is measure from 0 to 1. The number 0 would reflect a
perfect social equality.

Valencia 9
lowered because of the USA economic crisis, still showed hope; the GDP its supposed to
increase in a 2.9 %. 20
1.3.2 Ecuadorian Political Context
The State’s mission is to respond to social demand. Its main function is the distribution of
the national resources. The state’s main role is to act as a distributor that has no other ambition
that serves the nation. 21
The fragmented organization of the social and economic institutions has responded to the
interest of independent groups of interest and not to the wellbeing its citizens. During this time
the attempts to solve the “developing” condition of the country has been treated in a technical
way, thinking that by increasing the numbers in the area of production the country will
develop. 22 Nevertheless, the data in the last paragraphs shows that the increment of housing units
has not made any major change in the country’s social conditions. Therefore attention should be
paid not only to the immediate circumstances and the increments of numbers in production but
also to the redefinition of the way solutions are applied. The quality in housing projects needs to
be reconsidered.
In September of 2008, the Country approved a new constitution and an important article about
housing was included:
20 Washington, EFE. “Fondo Monetarion International Baja Pronóstico de Crecimiento de Ecuador del 3,4% al
2,9% en 2008” [The International Monetary Fund Prognostications on Ecuadorian Economic Growth for 2008]. El
Comercio Newspaper. 4/9/2008. http://www2.elcomercio.com/noticiaEC.asp?id_noticia=183414&id_seccion=6.
(accessed November 8, 2008)
21 Vanessa Pinto ; Fernanda Yanchapaxi. “La Acción Solidaria como Alternativa de Reconstitución de la Sociedad:
el Caso de Un Techo para Ecuador” [Accitons of Sodidarity as Alternatives for the Reconstruction of the Society:
Case Study of A Roof for Ecuador], Thesis, Pontífica Universidad Católica del Ecuador (Catholic University of
Ecuador); Quito-Ecuador, 2006: 12.
22 Vanessa Pinto ; Fernanda Yanchapaxi,12, 13.

Valencia 10
Article 30: “Every citizen has the right of a secure and healthy shelter, dignity in
dwelling, besides of their social or economical situation” 23
With the inclusion of this article in the National constitution, more attention is paid to the
importance of housing as a right of each individual. Therefore the MIDUVI, as the main public
housing institution, will have to act more efficiently to make sure that this right is being sourced
properly.
Conclusion:
The country’s unstable political and economical conditions set up a challenging path for
low-income citizens to overcome poverty. With higher levels of unemployment and low monthly
wages it becomes impossible for low-income families to have the financial means for owning a
house through private institutions. On the other hand, the government, through the MIDUVI,
offers funding to support low-income families to acquire their own house. This funding is a great
opportunity to minimize the quantity deficit of housing dearth. Nevertheless, housing deficit is
not just represented by numbers. Therefore, if the government really wants to overcome the true
housing deficit they need to sponsor people to obtain a quality house.
2. Theoretical Framework:
The English architect, John Turner after his statement of "housing is a verb"—implied that
dwelling involves a process that goes far beyond just physical steady shelter in a stable state. It
involves change and action, due the location of the house, the family conditions and its natural
evolution through time. 24 The way to approach housing design needs also to be dynamic,
23 “Country’s Constitution”. National Government of the Ecuadorian Republic.
http://www.presidencia.gov.ec/modulos.asp?id=111. (accessed November 3, 2008)
24 Turner, John FC "Housing as a Verb" in Turner, John F, Cand Fichter, Robert, Freedom to Build, (Macmillan,
New York, 1972).

Valencia 11
designers must find new ways of understand the active characteristics of the users, and the
housing components.
The current housing solutions, consider housing as a noun, a static recipe that can be
applied to anyone in any situation or location. These solutions have not successfully included
social and cultural factors because they have not considered traditions, esthetics and technical
aspects which have inhibited and effective appropriation of the project within the local
communities. The relationship between the providers and the community has been mostly
technical. Therefore there has not been room for thinking about communitarian and national
objectives and repercussions in a larger scale. There has not been any consideration of
sustainable aspects. 25
The housing deficit increases in 1,000 units yearly and the levels of poverty in the
country also increase. 26 Therefore, the actions to eliminate the housing deficit need to be more
efficient. It is important to consider the close relation of the housing challenges with the social
issues that affect the country. Social housing cannot be separated from the deepest needs of an
individual to progress and to improve its life quality.
The Mexican architect Carlos Gonzáles in his article called Possible Housing talks about
the concept of social housing in Latin America. In this article he mentions that the quality in
social housing needs to be reconsidered. Gonzáles says that ¨a key problem is that the quality of
the houses is based on the completeness of the house and its conception as a finish product, like
a piece of merchandize¨. He suggests that architects should see that the true quality of a house is
invaded in its potential quality. Quality should be considered a seed for growth. Only after
considering designing for the maximum potential quality of a house we could guarantee an
25 Torres, 3,4.
26 Torres, 16.

Valencia 12
improvement on the standards of living of a community. He suggests considering growth by
planning for expansion, building by stages and projecting the house’s maximum square footage.
Gonzáles says that the methodologies that one should use to design social housing should come
from a deep understanding of the culture and traditions of the area and of the needed technology
to make feasible the production of the houses. Finally, the architect suggests harmonious urban
relationship within the dwellings to allow communitarian spaces among them. 27
2.1 Housing as a Human Right
Housing is one of the most fundamental rights of human beings. Nevertheless this right has
become a fulfillment of basic needs.
A home is a family space where the society reproduction takes place. Therefore it should
be a personalized space that responds to the family needs. Unfortunately social housing has not
been considered a human right but a charity that responds more to the creators of the projects
than to its owners. 28 Social housing based on cost has forgotten the human side of dwelling.
If we really want to make a change in the housing challenge we need to address the quantity of
the houses but their imbedded quality. Housing deficit is not only increasing numbers in term of
construction.
2.2 Human-Housing (HOME)
“The chief benefit of a house [is that] the house shelters daydreaming, the house protects the
dreamer, and the house allows one to dream in peace”. 29
What is the difference between a house and a home?
27 “La vivienda digna” (Dignity in Dwelling). Escala. Magazine number 172; Editorial ESCALA; Santafé de
Bogotá-Colombia, 1995: 16,17.
28 Torres, 17.
29 Gaston Bachelard. The Poetics of Reverie. Beacon Press, Boston, 1971, 6.

Valencia 13
Toby Israel uses psychology as a tool of creating environments that reflect the individual
or group as well as encourage positive change. In his book, Some Place Like Home, Israel
analyzes the main differences between a house and a home. She says that a house only satisfies
the main physical necessity of shelter of a human being; on the other hand, a home not only
covers these necessities but also host a meaning for the person. 30
By giving a meaning to the object (house) we create a connection with it. For example,
the meaning for the places created in our childhood becomes an early attempt to create a place
for us in the world. 31 This connection becomes an active element between the object and the
individual that opens room for a productive transformation of both. , In order to start an
interaction with the object (house), the object needs to have a meaning. 32
3. Conceptual Framework
3.1 Architecture is a Social Art: Understanding Human Needs
Architecture is a social art. Architects design for people. The function of an architect is to
provide a design solution that serves a person or a group of people. But what human aspects are
translated into an architectural solution? The needs of a client are the first regulators of a project;
they introduce a human perception into the project. These needs will define the scope and
direction of any design solution.
In the call for housing a designer tries to satisfy the user’s needs. But what are the user’s needs?
In order to understand human needs, the renowned psychologist Abraham Maslow, in 1943,
proposed a theory that identifies the hierarchical relationship of the components of human selfactualization.
According to Maslow, we are, whether consciously or not, all motivated to pursuit
30 Toby Israel. “Some Place Like Home”. (Hoboken, NJ: Wiley, 2003), 2.
31 Israel, 5,6.
32 Further research on possible ways of creating meaning in a house will be explored under the analysis of identity in
the 21.

Valencia 14
psychic wholeness in order to become “self-actualized” human beings. Maslow also believed
that this fulfillment could only be achieved if we have satisfied a hierarchy of human needs.
These elements are represented into a hierarchy of needs pyramid. 33
3.2 Translations of the Needs for Human Self-Actualization into Design; Home Self-
Actualization
In the year 2003 design psychologist Israel Toby, based in the theories of other design
psychologists like Clare Cooper Marcus (1975) and Fred Steele (1973), adapted Maslow’s
hierarchy pyramid of needs to create a pyramid of Home as Self-actualization. Home Selfactualization
in the fullest sense implies not only a satisfaction of physical needs but to the
deeper existential needs as well. 34
33 Abraham Maslow. “Motivation and Personality”. New York: Haper & Row, 1954.
34 Israel, 56,57,182, 210.

Valencia 15
3.3 Reinterpretation of the Home Self-Actualization Theory: Holistic Design
Israel’s thorough theory of Home as Self-Actualization does give us a clear list of aspects
to consider the design of the built environment to stimulate a personal self-actualization.
Nevertheless, there are four elements that could be revised in her theory. First, there is no reason
to separate the functional needs and to the security-shelter needs. Both elements are
interdependent and could be combined in one by recognizing the functionality of a secure
shelter. Second, the need of “social contact” could be labeled as “interaction”; this word has a
livelier connotation that suggests the creation of not only proximity but of active spaces for
social interface. Third, calling the fifth element “aesthetics” limits this portion to an exploration
of beauty. Instead by calling this section “perception” then we can broaden the design strategies
to achieve satisfaction in how the space is experienced. Finally the theory’s name Home as Self-

Valencia 16
Actualization is too specific, suggesting only material fulfillment. In fact, Israel’s theory is really
a holistic 35 approach to design; a design approach that is concerned with looking at the
individual’s needs as a whole and not only by treating their needs as separated systems.
Therefore, as an alternative name, this theory will be called “Holistic Design”, making the name
respond better to the subject treated.
Holistic Design is an approach that allows a designer to compromise design efforts to the
deepest psychological needs of an individual. This type of design is pursued under five specific
categories (growth, metaphysics, identity, interaction, and functionality) that respond directly to
human needs to achieve self-actualization (esteem, love and belonging, safety and physiological
needs). Holistic design takes into account both physical and metaphysical needs to create a
humanist architecture that allows a perfect balance between the built environment and the
individual.
35 holistic: relating to or concerned with wholes or with complete systems rather than with the analysis of,
treatment of, or dissection into parts. Merriam- Webster´s Online Dictionary. s.v. ¨ Holistic¨.
http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/holistic(accessed October 3, 2008).

Valencia 17
4. Analysis of Holistic Design Elements and their Application to Rural Social Housing
4.1_Func·tio·nal·ity is the ability to perform. Functionality involves the aspects that contribute to
the development or maintenance of a larger whole. 36 Is a way in which things could have a
practical application, or serve a useful purpose. Functionalism, in architecture, is the principle
that architects should design a building based on the purpose of that building. Le Corbusier
said, "a house is a machine for living in" in his 1923 book Vers une Architecture and with this
affirmation he stated a prototype of functionality in architecture. 37 Functionality related to
social housing acknowledges the importance of efficiency, affordability, practicality, quality,
utility and firmness.
In Le Corbusier’s deep analysis about housing conditions, he identifies the very basic elements
that should be provided in a house:
1. A shelter against heat, cold, rain, thieves and the inquisitive.
2. A receptacle for sun and light.
3. A certain number of cells appropriated for cooking, work and personal life. 38
Nevertheless, Le Corbusier strongly argues the importance of providing flexiblefunctional
solutions that could adjust to the specific needs of a family in a certain time and place.
He gives the example of suburban villas having enormous useless roofs that do not really
contribute in any aspect the activities that a modern man could have inside his house.
The houses proposed by the MIDUVI are an example of design based purely on
impersonalized “functionality”. These 6 x 6 meter houses, (392 SQFT) are rigid structures built
in the same way regardless of the location or the specific needs of the family.
36 Merriam- Webster´s Online Dictionary. s.v. “Functionality”.
http://www.merriamwebster.com/dictionary/fuctionality (accessed October 3, 2008).
37 Le Corbusier, “Towards a New Architecture“. (New York : Dover Publications), 1986.
38 Le Corbusier,114.

Valencia 18
Nevertheless the inhabitants of the community of El Quinche have adapted their houses’
interior spaces to host a commercial program as a way of sourcing their need of income.
Original house design
House adapted for commercial use;
“ víveres” means “shop” in English

Valencia 19
House adapted for commercial use,
image of the adapted living room.
Both houses show adaptations done by the inhabitants to transform their living rooms
into shops. The economical needs of the people makes them change their perception of
traditional functional house being a place that hosts needs house (eating, sleeping), to their own
idea of functional house, which is a space that can accommodate not only rooms for their basic
needs but a space to acquire some type of income. The current idea “functionality” in the houses
does not give any room for change, adaptation or expansion to happen. Therefore inhabitants
have to sacrifice space from their already minimal houses to personalize their houses.

Valencia 20
4.2_In·ter·ac·tion is a mutual or reciprocal action or influence 39 . It is a kind of action that
occurs as two or more objects have an effect upon one another. The idea of a two-way effect is
essential in the concept of interaction, as opposed to a one-way causal effect. A closely related
term is interconnectivity, which deals with the interactions of interactions within systems.
In sociology, social interaction is a dynamic, changing sequence of social actions between
individuals (or groups) that modify their actions and reactions due to the actions by their
interaction partner(s). Social interactions can be differentiated into accidental, repeated,
regular, and regulated. Social interactions form the basis for social relations. 40
The article “ The Neighborhood Concept: A Retrospective of Physical Design and Social
Interaction” lists three basic approaches to physical-social relationship in residential design: the
equivocal, opportunistic, and deterministic modes. An opportunistic approach in residential
design should focus on users at the micro-neighborhood scale creating opportunities for
community interaction to happen. 41 Sociologist Robert Park (1925) in his analysis of physicalsocial
relationship in residential design emphasized that face-to-face relations are the basis for
the definition of neighborhood. If residents are brought together through the use of communal
spaces then they will get to know one another and the opportunity of a healthy interaction will
occur. Eye contact is another important factor; it promotes interaction within a physical setting
for socialization to occur. 42 The use of plazas in Latin American Countries is an example of a
space that can allow social interaction.
39 Merriam- Webster´s Online Dictionary. s.v. “Interaction”.
http://www.merriamwebster.com/dictionary/interaction (accessed October 3, 2008).
40 Wikipedia. s.v. “Interaction”. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Interaction (accessed October 13, 2008).
41 Patricios, Nicholas N. The Neighborhood Concept: A Retrospective Of
Physical Design and Social Interaction. Avery Index to Architectural Periodicals. Journal of Architectural and
Planning Research. v. 19 no. 1, Spring 2002.
42 Jhon Brebner. . “Spatial Arrangements for Interpersonal Interaction”. Environmental Psychology in Building
Design. (Applied Science Publishers, London, UK :1982),129.

Valencia 21
43
Shared space, House (space) House… What happens in between?
After houses are built, they remain as unconnected objects within the space. The units’
container obstructs any interaction with the outside. If a house unit wants to become a
harmonious part of the community (whole) it must redefine its edges. The edges of a house
shouldn’t just be the delimitation of the property but should be the start of an interconnection
with the outside. The improvement of the edge condition in social housing can provide an
opportunity for social interaction to take place.
Private Vs Public
The interaction of the family in the house is an important aspect to consider. Each house
should have a place that encourages family gathering. For this to happen, there is the need of a
correct delimitation of private and public spaces within the house.
Currently, one of the critical aspects of indigenous houses is that the lack of internal
delimitation of rooms. Currently most of the houses have only one bedroom where the entire
43 Hidalgo, Trujano, Flores Magon and Bustamente. “Plaza de la Constitucion de Oaxaca (Zocalo)”.Project for
Public Spaces.http://www.pps.org/great_public_spaces/one?public_place_id=6 (accessed October 23, 2008).

Valencia 22
family coexists. Because the house is considered the place for reproduction, this situation can
bring psychological traumas to the children of the family.
4.3_Iden·ti·ty
Identity may be described as the notion of self. In psychology, a psychological identity relates to
self-image (a person's mental model of him or herself), self-esteem, and individuation. An
important part of identity in psychology is gender identity, as this dictates to a significant degree
how an individual views him or herself both as a person and in relation to other people. In
cognitive psychology, the term "identity" refers to the capacity for self-reflection and the
awareness of self is the distinguishing character or personality of an individual (Webster).
Identity is that essence that creates pride. It’s also the force that provides meaning and gives the
intentions of a person. Identity can be defined as individual or communitarian qualities. Identity
is not and static element of a person or group. It is something that can be redefined and
promoted. Identity in the design would become the spirit that endorses the present and future
meaning of the place; creating an idealized feeling of belonging of the users to the place. 44
Erik Erikson was one of the earliest psychologists to be explicitly interested in identity.
The Eriksonian framework rests upon a distinction among the psychological sense of continuity,
known as the ego identity (sometimes identified simply as "the self"); the personal idiosyncrasies
that separate one person from the next, known as the personal identity; and the collection of
social roles that a person might play, known as either the social identity or the cultural identity. 45
The "Neo-Eriksonian" identity status paradigm emerged in later years, driven largely by
the work of James Marcia. This paradigm focuses upon the twin concepts of exploration and
commitment. The central idea is that any individual's sense of identity is determined in large part
44 Leary, M. R., & Tangney, J. P. Handbook of Self and Identity. New York: Guilford Press, 2003, 3.
45 Cote, James E.; Charles Levin (200). Identity Formation, Agency, and Culture. New Jersey: Lawrence Erlbaum
Associate, 22.

Valencia 23
by the explorations and commitments that he or she makes regarding certain personal and social
traits. It follows that the core of the research in this paradigm investigates the degrees to which a
person has made certain explorations, and the degree to which he or she displays a commitment
to those explorations. 46
Social identity is a theory formed by Henri Tajfel and John Turner to understand the
psychological basis of intergroup discrimination. It is composed of four elements:
• Categorization: We often put others (and ourselves) into categories. Labeling
someone a Muslim, a Turk, a Gimp or a soccer player are ways of saying other
things about these people.
• Identification: We also associate with certain groups (our in-groups), which
serves to bolster our self-esteem.
• Comparison: We compare our groups with other groups, seeing a favorable bias
toward the group to which we belong. 47
In the conceptual framework we saw that the main difference between home and house is
that the first one has a meaning that connects it with the person using it. The idea of identity as a
way of identification relates directly to the meaning that a house could hold. Meaning as identity
encompasses the characteristics that create significance in an object. A first approach of creating
meaning in a house is by making it a symbol. This symbol could be an abstract idea of family,
hearth, belonging, progress, a symbol of self. A second approach is by acknowledging the
46 Marcia, J. E. “Development and Validation of Ego Identity Status”. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology
III, 1966, 551-558.
47 Leary, M. R., 3.

Valencia 24
influence of our memories on giving significance to a space. Toby Israel describes four forms of
childhood place attachment: affection, transcendence, ambivalence and idealization. 48
Case Study, Identity by Identification:
The Toraja Houses in Sulawesi, Indonesia
49
In many parts of the world, traditional house-building forms have become a symbol of a
particular region. Often it is the roof construction that lends these buildings their unmistakable
character. To become a symbol, the design of this element would have to be the product of more
than just functional and economical constraints, and may have a cultural, religious and
sociological content. The Toraja Houses in Sulawesi, Indonesia; are a great example of how the
symbolic content of the elements of the building can help preserve a sense of identity for a
community. The Toraja are mountain people in the southern Sulawesi (Indonesia). A curved roof
48 Israel, 5,6.
49 Image from > http://www.iaaotc.org/images/6/Toraja1.jpg. (accessed November 7, 2008)

Valencia 25
with steeply rising gable ends distinguishes the houses. In the early form, the houses were built
as simple squat log huts, with the roof slopes forming the outer enclosure of a single-story
dwelling. These were raised on a block cabin structure and finally on piles, the lower level
serving as an enclosure for slaves and domestic animals. In its modern form, the house performs
many of its original practical functions only in a perfunctory way. The “tongkonan” or tribal
seat, where the elder of the clan lives, forms a social and spiritual centre and reveals the status of
the family in what is a strictly hierarchical society. The defensive purpose of the buildings has
disappeared today, resulting in cult type building. The design of the tongkonan reflects a threepart
division of the cosmos – the roof, the living space and the pile structure represent the
heavens, the earth and the netherworld respectively. 50
In contrast with the Toraja houses the MIDUVI houses do not show any identity of the place.
These images show some examples of the houses proposed by the MIDUVI in different regions
of the country.
4.4_ per·cep·tion is the process by which organisms interpret and organize sensation to produce
a meaningful experience of the world. Sensation usually refers to the immediate, relatively
unprocessed result of stimulation of sensory receptors in the eyes, ears, nose, tongue, or skin.
Perception, on the other hand, better describes one’s ultimate experience of the world and
typically involves further processing of sensory input. In practice, sensation and perception are
50 Frank Kaltenbach. Roof Form with a Symbolic Content – Toraja Houses in Sulawesi, Indonesia. Detail Magazine.
Germany. May 1999. 780 – 783.

Valencia 26
virtually impossible to separate, because they are part of one continuous process .The process of
perception allows us to interpret sensations as objects, events, people, and situations.” 51
The perception of a space changes from person to person and each experience is unique.
Nevertheless in the design of a house, the perception of the space should stimulate one’s senses
to create a meaningful experience of the space. To organizing raw sensory stimuli into
meaningful experiences involves cognition, a set of mental activities that includes thinking,
knowing, and remembering. Knowledge and experience are extremely important for perception,
because they help us make sense of the input to our sensory systems. 52 Therefore the significance
of the perception of the space is related to the familiarity that a person has to the elements that he
or she sees. Then, in the material choice for the houses; the use of local materials could allow to
create meaningful experience of the space to the users because they are materials that they are
familiar with.
Building up on the importance of perception, the Finnish architect Juhani Pallasmaa in
his book “The Eyes of the Skin” talks about the relationship between architecture and the senses.
He sees the evidence of the architecture of traditional cultures being essentially connected with
the tactic wisdom of the body. “Construction in traditional cultures is guided by the body in the
same way that a bird shapes its nest by movements of its body. Indigenous clay and mud
architecture in various parts of the world seem to be born of the muscular and haptic senses more
than the eye”. 53 Pallasmaa also makes reference to Greek architecture and its stimulation of
various senses besides privileging only the sight. “As the haptic sensibility, materiality and
authoritative weight of Greek architecture prove; the eye invites and stimulates muscular and
51 Encyclopedia Encarta, s.v. ¨Perception¨, http://encarta.msn.com/encyclopedia_761555386/metaphysics.html
(accessed November 6, 2008).
52 Encyclopedia Encarta, s.v. ¨Perception¨, http://encarta.msn.com/encyclopedia_761555386/metaphysics.html
(accessed November 6, 2008).
53 Juhani Pallasmaa, “The Eyes of the Skin: Architecture and the Senses”. (Jhon Wiley & Sons. England, 2005), 26.

Valencia 27
tactile sensations”. 54
Materials speak to us the feeling of a space. They tell us about the permanence of time,
the place and the veracity of matter. In the current houses proposed by the MIDUVI this dialogue
has been muted. The CMU in the houses become a cold and quiet material that doesn’t convey
any particular delight in perception; only the ageless industrial feeling of building
standardization and the weak sense of materiality. Pallasmaa critiques the machine-made
materials of today in which their deliberately aim of ageless perfection avoid the significant
process of aging. On the other hand “natural materials express their age and history, as well as
the story of their origins and their history of human use. All matter exist in the continuum of
time; the patina wear adds the enriching experience of time to the material of construction” 55
Natural materials also unfold a feeling of warmth. Warmth, according to the poet Joseph Wardy,
is what makes a house a home. 56
The richness in the use of local materials can be seen in the work of Peter Zumthor’s
Thermal Baths in Vals, Graublunden. Its massive stonewalls, made up of layered and polished
quarried gneiss, unfolds the spirit of the place.
54 Pallasmaa, 26.
55 Juhani Pallasmaa, 31,32.
56 Wardy Joseph. “Poetry:Warmth”. http://www.helium.com/items/608951-poetry-warmth (accessed Nov 4, 2008).

Valencia 28
Le Corbusier defines the importance of light in the perception of the space: “Architecture
is the masterly, correct and magnificent play of masses brought together in light”. 57 Le
Corbusier’s management of light can be seen in experienced in different ways. First in
Ronchamp, the light unfolds the richness of the material and allows the rediscover the perception
of deepness of the walls. This approach deals with the abstract and poetic experiencing of the
space. A more objective use of light is the one used in Villa Savoy. The idea of having an
internal open space such as the courtyard in the second floor, allows light to penetrate the
adjacent rooms.
More scientific studies about light have analyzed the minimum level of illumination at
which some particular task become possible, stating that 43 lm m2 - 54 lm m2 are require for
adequate illumination. 58
Another element combined with architecture that helps stimulating the experience of a
space is its contact with nature. Both scientific and anecdotal evidence have shown that plants
can improve workplace and household conditions. Plants have a positive effect of human wellbeing.
Biophilic design 59 can be considered to foster humans’ inherent connection to the natural
world. The inclusion of nature in the design will provide that connection. Judith Heerwagen,
57 Le Corbusier, “Towards a New Architecture“. New York : Dover Publications, 1986, 31.
58 Jhon Brebner. Environmental.”Trends in Illumination Standards”. Psychology in Building Design.Applied Science
Publishers, London, 1982, 382.
59 "biophilia" literally means "love of life or living systems." The American biologist Edward O. Wilson first
introduced the biophilia hypothesis. He defined it as “the connections that human beings subconsciously seek with
the rest of life.” Biophilia in Practice: Buildings that Connect People with Nature,¨ Environmental Building News,

Valencia 29
Ph.D., a psychologist who focuses on the relationship between humans and nature. According to
Heerwagen “plants are reminders that a place is supportive of human life,” and may make
that connection stronger and more visceral. 60 Plants maintain humidity, increase productivity,
and reduce stress. Interior landscapers, as well as building scientists, suggest that considering
plants earlier in the design process and educating building owners and tenants are necessary to
maximize the benefits of indoor plants while minimizing the risks of moisture and air quality
problems.
4.5_Growth is in the deepest essence human beings; it affirms our evolving and
changing nature. The idea of growth lets us remember the fact that humans are pure potential
that constantly transform through progressive development. Growth is the dynamic force that
allows a seed to become a plant and a baby to become a human being. Growth is the energy that
allows the explosion of true potential. Growth is not a final destination; it is a way of evolving.
For growth to happen there is the need of imbedded value, a seed of potential. After growth the
value increases, the cycle expands. Growth is the beginning of true evolution. If something does
not grow it dies.
The following case studies will demonstrate applications of the idea of ¨growth¨ to social
housing. Project: Building Together
Planners: North Workshop (Taller del Norte) and the Urban Center of Technical
Assitance.
Location: Chile, Neighborhoods Peñolén and Renca.
Construction date: 1985
Holistic Elements: Growth and Identity
Peñolén and Renca are two neighborhoods located in the poorest area of Santiago.
60 Allyson Wendt, “Bringing Nature Indoors:The Myths and Realities of Plants in Buildings” Environmental
Building News, October 1, 2008, http://0www.buildinggreen.com.library.scad.edu/auth/article.cfm/
2008/9/25/Bringing-Nature-Indoors-The-Myths-and-Realities-of-Plants-in-Buildings/ (accessed October 19, 2008).

Valencia 30
Together they have an area of 45 square kilometers (484 square foot) and a population of 67.324
people. The Workshop gave technical assistance to collaborate with the urbanization process in
both neighborhoods. The main strategy was to create progressive houses that achieve a
desirable quality through a process of progressive improvement. To accomplish this objective,
the North Workshop proposed the construction of sanitary nucleus. These nuclei were 6 square
meters (64.6 SQFT) and hosted the kitchen and bathroom; their structure was independent from
the rest of the house. 61
In Chile the ELEMENTAL Housing Initiative also designed a housing prototype that
allowed growth and adaptation of the relocation of 93 House complexes in Iquique. 62
Project: Quinta Monroy Housing Project
Location: Iquique, Chile
Design Center: ELEMENTAL Housing Initiative
Holistic Elements: Growth and Interaction and Identity.
Build: 93 House complexes
63
61 “La vivienda digna” (Dignity in Dwelling). Escala. Magazine number 172; Editorial ESCALA; Santafé de
Bogotá-Colombia, 1995: 34,35,46.
62 Elemental. “Iquique Project”. http://www.elementalchile.cl/category/vivienda/iquique/. (accessed September 27,
2008)
63 Images from: Elemental. “Iquique Project”. http://www.elementalchile.cl/category/vivienda/iquique/. (accessed
September 27, 2008).

Valencia 31
The project started when the Chilean Government asked the design grout to resettle 100
families of the Quinta Monroy, in the same 5.000 m2 site that they have illegally occupied.
ELMENTAL started to analyze the potential solutions.
The first attempt was to assume that 1 house = 1 family = 1 lot, they were able to host
just 30 families in the site. The problem with this approach is that isolated houses are very
inefficient in terms of land use. The second approach tried to make a more efficient use of the
land. They decided to work with row houses, but even if they reduced the width of the lot until
making it coincident with the width of the house, and furthermore, with the width of a room, they
were only able to host just 66 families. The problem with this type is that whenever a family
wants to add a new room, it blocks access to light and ventilation of previous rooms. Moreover it
compromises privacy because circulation has to be done through other rooms. Then with this
approach, instead of efficiency, they achieved overcrowding and promiscuity. On the third
approach they tried to design a high-rise building, but this approach was very efficient in terms
of growth. This type blocks expansions and here they needed that every house could at least
double the initial built space. 64 65
Finally, they found a new way of looking at the problem. They shifted the idea of trying
to create the best possible U$ 7500 object to be multiplied a 100 times, and instead tried to create
64 Elemental
65 Images from: Elemental. “Iquique Project”. http://www.elementalchile.cl/category/vivienda/iquique/. (accessed
September 27, 2008).

Valencia 32
the best possible U$750.000 building capable of accommodating 100 families and their
expansions. They saw that a building blocks expansions; that is true, except on the ground and
the top floor. So, they worked in a building that had just the ground and top floor. Therefore,
instead of designing a small house (in 30 m2 everything is small), they provided an unfinished
middle-income house with standard: kitchens, bathrooms, stairs, dividing walls and all the
difficult parts of the house had to be designed for final scenario of a 72m2 house.
Initial house: 36m² ------- Expanded house: 70m²
Initial duplex: 25m² ------ Expanded duplex: 72m²
66
66 Images from: Elemental. “Iquique Project”. http://www.elementalchile.cl/category/vivienda/iquique/. (accessed
September 27, 2008).

Valencia 33
5_Conclusion
The research about the psychological needs of the user helped determination the aspect
where the design effort can be focalized. Analyzing each element individually helped understand
more in depth the design applications of each elements in the social housing context.
Nevertheless, researching each element individually separate alerted me to the idea of trying to
find a solution that will address all of the elements mentioned creating at the end a holistic
design.
However, the last project analyzed (Elemental in Chile) showed not only a great
application of the idea of growth but also addressed the other 4 elements (functionality,
interaction, perception and identity) in different depths maintaining a holistic approach.
Therefore finding the most holistic approach in a project under the category of growth drives me
to the idea that if a design starts with the idea of growth as a standard for its quality it will more
easily involve the elements needed to create a holistic design.

Valencia 34
The main problem identified in the MIDUVI houses was their lack of potential quality.
The quality of a social dwelling should be based on the judgment of its potential capability to
allow growth and readjustments of the space. If a project is designed starting with the idea of
growth then a new concept of social housing can be created. Social housing based on growth
allows an increase on the potential quality of a dwelling. With this approach a house starts to be
seen as an investment and not as an expense, encouraging an increment of the house’s value
over time. 67 Therefore the initial building must provide a supporting, (rather than a constraining)
framework, to facilitate the expansion process. 68
Architecture of Growth or Social Development
Social Development can be avoided.
67 Elemental.
68 Elemental.

Valencia 35
Bibliography:
¨ Biophilia in Practice: Buildings That Connect People with Nature,¨ Environmental Building News, July
1, 2006, http://0www.buildinggreen.com.library.scad.edu:80/auth/article.cfm/2006/7/9/Biophiliain-Practice-Buildings-that-Connect-People-with-Nature/.
(accessed October 19, 2008).
¨ Nature Buildings and Well-Being¨,
http://0www.buildinggreen.com.library.scad.edu/auth/article.cfm/2008/9/25/Bringing-Nature-
Indoors-The-Myths-and-Realities-of-Plants-in-Buildings/ (accessed October 19, 2008).
“Country’s Constitution”. National Government of the Ecuadorian Republic.
http://www.presidencia.gov.ec/modulos.asp?id=111. (accessed November 3, 2008).
“Economia Ecuatoriana en Cifras: Salario Mínimo Vital” [Ecuadorian Economy Data: Minimum Vital
Wages]. Instituto Latinoamericano de Investigaciones Sociales ILDIS [Latin-American Institute
of Social Investigations]. http://www.ildis.org.ec/old/estadisticas/ estadisticasquince.htm.
(Accessed October 5, 2008).
“La vivienda digna” (Dignity in Dwelling). Escala. 172; Editorial ESCALA: Santafé de Bogotá-
Colombia, 1995.
“Latin America and Caribbean Population”, International Center of Tropical Agriculture, CIAT,
http://gisweb.ciat.cgiar.org/population/ (accessed October 2, 2008).
Brebner, Jhon. “Environmental Trends in Illumination Standards”. Psychology in Building Design.
Applied Science Publishers, London, 1982.
Cote, James E and Charles Levin. Identity Formation, Agency, and Culture. New Jersey: Lawrence
Erlbaum Associate. Mahwah, NJ. Publication: 2002.

Valencia 36
“Frank Kaltenbach. Roof Form with a Symbolic Content – Toraja Houses in Sulawesi, Indonesia”.
Detail Magazine. Germany. May 1999. 780 – 783.
Hidalgo, Trujano, Flores Magon and Bustamente. “Plaza de la Constitucion de Oaxaca (Zocalo)”.
Project for Public Spaces. http://www.pps.org/great_public_spaces/one? public_place_id=6.
(accessed October 23, 2008).
Instituto Nacional de Estadística y Censos. [National Institute of Statistics and Census]. s.v. “Canasta
Básica”. http://www.inec.gov.ec/web/guest/ecu_est/est_eco/ind_eco/ ipc/inf_act_ind/ser_his.
(Accessed October 5, 2008).
Israel, Toby. “Some Place Like Home”. Hoboken, NJ: Wiley, 2003.
Juhani Pallasmaa, “The Eyes of the Skin: Architecture and the Senses”. Jhon Wiley & Sons. England,
2005.
Le Corbusier. “Towards a New Architecture”. Translated from the thirteenth French edition and with an
introduction by Frederick Etchells. New York : Dover Publications, 1986.
Leary, M. R., & Tangney, J. P. Handbook of Self and Identity. New York: Guilford Press, 2003.
Marcia, J. E. “Development and Validation of Ego Identity Status”. Journal of Personality and Social
Psychology 3. 1966.
Ministerio de Desarrollo Urbano y Vivienda MIDUVI [Ministry of Housing and Urban Development]
http://www.miduvi.gov.ec. (accessed September 29, 2008).
Patricios, Nicholas N. “The Neighborhood Concept: A Retrospective Of
Physical Design and Social Interaction”. Avery Index to Architectural Periodicals. Journal of
Architectural and Planning Research.19, no. 1, Spring 2002

Valencia 37
Pinto,Vanessa; Yanchapaxi, Fernanda. “La Acción Solidaria como Alternativa de Reconstitución de la
Sociedad: el Caso de Un Techo para Ecuador” [Accitons of Sodidarity as Alternatives for the
Reconstruction of the Society: Case Study of A Roof for Ecuador], Thesis, Pontífica Universidad
Católica del Ecuador (Catholic University of Ecuador); Quito-Ecuador, 2006.
Sigbo, Kerstin. “Vivienda y desarrollo –un estudio de ocho proyectos realizados en Ecuador” ( Housing
and Development – an Study of Eight Projects Realized in Ecuador”. Architecture Thesis, Lund
University Housing Development & Management; Lund AB-Sweden, 2005.
Sistema de Incentivos para Vivienda Rural y Urbano Marginal – SIV. Reglamentos 2007. Miduvi,
Quito.Ecuador: 3 “Institutionalism and Public Policies Inform”.
www.pnud.org.ec/boletines2005/informeDH2005 (accessed October, 12, 2008).
Torres, Esteban. “Vivienda Social dentro del Modelo de Desarrollo Comunitario” (Social Housing
under the Model of Communitarian Development). Architecture Thesis, Pontífica Universidad
Católica del Ecuador (Catholic University of Ecuador); Quito-Ecuador, 2006
Turner, John FC "Housing as a Verb" in Turner, John F, Cand Fichter, Robert, Freedom to Build,
Macmillan, New York, 1972.
Wardy Joseph. “Poetry:Warmth”. http://www.helium.com/items/608951-poetry-warmth.
(accessed Nov 4, 2008).
Washington, EFE. “Fondo Monetarion International Baja Pronóstico de Crecimiento de Ecuador del
3,4% al 2,9% en 2008” [The International Monetary Fund Prognostications on Ecuadorian
Economic Growth for 2008]. El Comercio Newspaper. 4/9/2008.
http://www2.elcomercio.com/noticiaEC.asp?id_noticia= 183414&id_seccion=6.
Wendt, Allyson. “Bringing Nature Indoors: The Myths and Realities of Plants in Buildings”
Environmental Building News, (accessed October 1, 2008)