Half a House

Constitución's Challenge

The 2010 earthquake in Constitución, Chile, left the city in ruins, with over 500 lives lost and 80% of buildings destroyed. Roman Mars recounts how Luis Enriquez, a local resident, witnessed the devastation and the urgent need for housing solutions 1. In response, the architecture firm Elemental introduced a radical concept of providing half-built homes to displaced residents. These homes featured one finished side and an empty space for future expansion, sparking both controversy and acclaim in the architectural community.

They gave people half a house. Picture a simple two-story home with a pitched roof. A square with a triangle on top. Basically how a kid would draw a house, only in these, there's a wall that runs down the middle from the peak of the roof all the way to the ground, splitting the house in half.

--- Roman Mars

This innovative approach aimed to empower residents to complete their homes over time, fostering a sense of ownership and community resilience.

   

Villa Verde Project

The Villa Verde project emerged as a beacon of hope in Constitución's recovery, offering a unique housing solution post-earthquake. Roman Mars describes the project as rows of simple two-story houses, each half-finished, allowing residents to personalize and expand their homes 2. This approach not only provided immediate shelter but also encouraged community involvement and self-reliance.

If and when the Enriquez family does have tiling and carpet and paint and baseboard on the walls, it’ll be way nicer than anything that they ever could have afforded on their own, or what they could have normally gotten through state-funded, low-income housing programs.

--- Roman Mars

While some residents, like Camila Hernandez Rodriguez, faced challenges in expanding their homes, the overall sentiment was positive, with many feeling invested in their community and even starting small businesses 3.