The Design of Post-Disaster Housing Units For The East Boston Community

Abstract

Climate change poses a significant threat to the communities; over the next 50 years, sea level in East Boston can rise up to 14 feet, contributing to significant inland flooding that will occur unless mitigated by further development of flood pathways. Resultantly, many families will be displaced from their homes experiencing flood damage. FEMA provides temporary post-disaster housing in the form of Manufactured Housing Units (MHUs), often prefabricated off-site and transported to the post-disaster location in need. While these units provide to families basic living necessities for up to 18 months, they can rarely satisfy the specific needs of the community.

This design proposes a new housing unit suited to the needs of East Boston. East Boston consists of a high socially vulnerable population, and families rely heavily on their communities and local, family-run businesses. Though the primary unit of this design consists of a one-bedroom 15’ x 35’ backyard unit, the impact lies in how units are aggregated and form shared interior and exterior community spaces. Before assembly, families can choose from a set of predetermined designs for shared interior space, including shared space for child care, laundry, or kitchen. The original units consist of 1-2 beds, though a shared kitchen allows for the creation of more sleeping space for extended families; additionally, a shared kitchen minimizes appliance cost. Upon larger aggregation within parking lots on high ground, the formation of semi-private spaces can serve as small gardens, markets, artisanal shops, bike storage, or outdoor library reflective of many healthy East Boston initiatives.

Assembly is from a timber frame fabricated off-site, though design and aggregation of the units is designed to minimize the number of unique frame parts. This reduces both cost of housing and level of skilled-labor required for assembly. Roof structure allows for more light to encourage healing post-disaster, extra ceiling space to double as storage, and for optional placement of photovoltaic panels. At the end of 18 months, these units can be repurposed as affordable housing.