Water is the hot topic among the project entries for the Holcim Awards in region Latin America. Whether for wastewater, drinking water, or tidal water, many of the prize winners have innovative and often surprising proposals for ways to master the use of this precious resource in Latin America.

This neighborhood design integrates workspace to enhance the potential livelihood of a vulnerable, displaced population. The base unit is a patio house design of locally- sourced prefabricated panels. Production of the components needed for the houses is intended to spark a new local industry that could employ residents. Houses adapt to the plot conditions, responding to a corner lot or major street and can be expanded as families or home businesses grow. Homes are grouped to encourage community building and social interaction within an urban plan designed to maximize shading.

Ethical standards and social inclusion for displaced populations

Complimenting the sustainable community agenda, our focus is to create an equitable environment that is safer, more humane, and supportive of everyday life. Fear of crime has made ill-defined public spaces inhospitable. We have created smaller community groupings, fostering a hierarchy of defensible spaces that encourage neighboring, small group spaces for shared activities such as urban farms, corner retail stores and a community plaza with retail, farmers markets, and a community facility. Based on feedback, our proposed two- story courtyard expandable house is the basic dwelling for all households, modified by location. Corner lots have more street frontage and are better for retail, and for sale shop-houses face major streets with ground floor retail and the courtyard house above.