Back to the roots

Rethinking Aruba's residential building standard

Master thesis (2022)

Authors

Y.F. Quandt Architecture and the Built Environment

Contributors

M.J. Smit Architectural Engineering - Architecture and the Built Environment (supervisor 1)
P.L. Tomesen Building Product Innovation - Architecture and the Built Environment (supervisor 2)
E.R. van den Ham Building Physics - Architecture and the Built Environment (supervisor 2)
Faculty
Architecture and the Built Environment
Copyright: © 2022 Yasmijn Quandt
Participatory design Nature inclusive Natural ventilation Passive design strategies Tropical architecture
More Info
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Published Date

30-06-2022

Language

English

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Faculty

Architecture and the Built Environment

Abstract

In light of the current environmental crisis, we are faced with the responsibility to drastically change our anthropogenic impact.
We humans often view ourselves as superior to nature. We have developed a dualistic view of our existence on this planet – one that blinds us to our interconnectedness with the environment.
We must shift the way we relate to this earth and understand that it is a single living organism which is inextricably interconnected. We must place value and importance on the entire environment and all life in it, not just the parts that are useful for humans.
In ‘Back to the roots’ the residential building standard on Aruba is reconsidered according to this ecocentric philosophy. The design proposal introduces a nature inclusive urban development strategy, a passive, climate responsive housing typology with locally harvested materials and floorplans based on participatory design to easily customize, evolve and adapt to changing cycles of use and facilitate a circular way of building.