Residential Design

HONOR AWARD Eco-booster: Sustainable Solutions for Ibagué’s Vulnerable Communities University of Pennsylvania For residents of Ibagué, one of Colombia’s vulnerable cities, environmental risk is baked into their lives, from the unstable construction of informal housing to the floodplains or steep hillsides where homes are constructed. In addition to these risks, many services, both civic and commercial, are beyond walking range. “Eco-booster” proposes a multifaceted relocation strategy for residents that prioritizes keeping them in their home neighborhoods to preserve social ties. Vital public resources such as schools and libraries will be sited within a 15-minute walk. In addition to rethinking the accessibility of community resources, the plan includes new modular housing made with sustainable, economical materials that can be stacked or expanded into single-family or mid-rise apartments. Collectively, dwellings take one of three main…