Their 100 sq.ft habitat does provide ample space to cook, eat, sleep and play but provides little shield from scorpions and mosquitoes during the rainy season. It stands on stilts 3 feet above ground, on structural timber logs collected from near by forest. The side cladding timber planks were sawed by their father. The house was built with man power of several helpful villagers.
This "zero energy" dwelling encourages sufficient natural light and natural ventilation, but heavy rain does let rain drops creep through the invisible holes in the thatched roof. The rain water from roof drips on to the ground and flows to the near by ocean. Since the house is on stilts the site water drainage still happens long the natural path. Other than the laughter of children, shadow cast by the house on a sunny day and slight change in the wind pattern, no other element has disturbed the micro environment of this site.
Does this humble architecture have the ability to inspire us?
Content is based on what author perceived from the conversations author had with Jenee Siems. Photo credit: Jenee Siems
