The housing crisis that typically results from a disaster is typically addressed through “temporary” prefabricated housing. These structures are usually designed for a short to medium-term lifespan and are often arranged in dormitory-style suburbs that lack basic facilities. When the rebuilding process extends over time, as in many cases, these settlements can lead to a “second emergency” with serious repercussions for community health and cohesion (Ruggiero et al., 2021). To tackle this issue, some international initiatives have experimented with digital technologies and lightweight building systems and local unskilled labour to create innovative temporary constructions. Notably, the work of Hiroto Kobayashi in the Far East and his “veneer building system” stands out among these studies. Italy is a seismic country where the “reconstruction” process has historically been contentious, often requiring people to remain in temporary settlements for extended periods. A recent example is the aftermath of the Central Italy earthquake in 016/2017. Eight years later, only a small percentage of uninhabitable houses have been rebuilt or restored. Some individuals continue to live in provisional settlements, while others have relocated, all facing an uncertain future. This chapter introduces a methodology for establishing temporary settlements through participatory construction processes for small facilities. This methodology was implemented in a pilot project carried out in collaboration between the Italian University of Camerino and the Japanese Keio University. Two innovative “mobile” pavilions for cultural activities were constructed in Amandola, one of the villages severely affected by the 2016/2017 earthquake. Local students were involved in the project, digital technologies were applied, and the veneer system was tested. This work represents a unique application of digital technologies in the disaster-impacted area of Central Italy, as well as an original implementation of the veneer system
EMPOWERING COMMUNITIES THROUGH DIGITAL INNOVATION AND SMALL-SCALE ARCHITECTURE
Roberto Ruggiero;Roberto Cognoli
2025-01-01
Abstract
The housing crisis that typically results from a disaster is typically addressed through “temporary” prefabricated housing. These structures are usually designed for a short to medium-term lifespan and are often arranged in dormitory-style suburbs that lack basic facilities. When the rebuilding process extends over time, as in many cases, these settlements can lead to a “second emergency” with serious repercussions for community health and cohesion (Ruggiero et al., 2021). To tackle this issue, some international initiatives have experimented with digital technologies and lightweight building systems and local unskilled labour to create innovative temporary constructions. Notably, the work of Hiroto Kobayashi in the Far East and his “veneer building system” stands out among these studies. Italy is a seismic country where the “reconstruction” process has historically been contentious, often requiring people to remain in temporary settlements for extended periods. A recent example is the aftermath of the Central Italy earthquake in 016/2017. Eight years later, only a small percentage of uninhabitable houses have been rebuilt or restored. Some individuals continue to live in provisional settlements, while others have relocated, all facing an uncertain future. This chapter introduces a methodology for establishing temporary settlements through participatory construction processes for small facilities. This methodology was implemented in a pilot project carried out in collaboration between the Italian University of Camerino and the Japanese Keio University. Two innovative “mobile” pavilions for cultural activities were constructed in Amandola, one of the villages severely affected by the 2016/2017 earthquake. Local students were involved in the project, digital technologies were applied, and the veneer system was tested. This work represents a unique application of digital technologies in the disaster-impacted area of Central Italy, as well as an original implementation of the veneer systemI documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
