search
×
menu
login
donate
Trade School in Guatemala
Cerro la Granadilla (San Raimundo), Guatemala
Written by:
follow
share on:mail linkcopy link to clipboardShare via LinkedInShare via TwitterShare via FacebookShare via Facebook
Hands-on technology as an alternative to exploitation. On this p

image: Giulia Celentano | © all rights reserved
i
Category:
education
Phase:
in use
Design:
C.A.S.A. (Central American Sustainable Architecture) team: S. Sancineto + S. Pollak (coordinators) L. Di Virgilio (site supervisor), G. Celentano, T. Chiaravallotti, A. Cole Diaz, C. De Marinis, C. Graziani, D. Onorati, S. Parlato, G. Perrucci, F. Savi
Updated:
9 December 2013
introduction

The House of Trades is realized by a team of students, volunteers, professionals, and locals working under the alias team C.A.S.A. (Central American Sustainable Architecture).

In Cerro la Granadilla, a small village 50 kilometers from Guatemala City, women typically rear children at a younger age. The project sought a self-build strategy, using simple techniques and adapting locally available materials, that can be easily adapted to other settings around south america. In this way, the community was involved in the building process, the local craftsmanship was enhanced, which provides the community possibilities of economic independence that leads to future fulfilling lives.

The structure, built over a period of two months, includes a large open flexible space and an enclosed kitchen both to be used for educational activities within a professional training program in bakery and pastry. The timber canopy and supporting frame was made from the same readily available wooden members sourced locally, and effectively protects the space from direct sunlight and rain, allowing it to be used as a multi-functional gathering space.

east elevation

image: Giulia Celentano | © all rights reserved
i
read more >
< read less
cultural and social context

The main economy of the community Cerro La Grenadilla is based on the home production of fireworks, an economy that implies child labour and regularly causes serious injuries caused by the handling of gun powder, often enough under candlelight. An Italian NGO working in Guatemala since 13 years decided to start an educational project in the field of handicraft in order to offer a professional alternative. For the first step of the project, a bakery and pastry program, a new building was needed.

An informal workgroup team C.A.S.A. was formed to support this need, initiated by two Rome based architects Sandro Sancineto and Stefan Pollak and including students and professionals from the field of architecture, engineering and environmental design.

The group members designed the building knowing that on site they would have to implement it themselves with the help of local craftsmen and volunteers from the community but without general contractor. The combination of light timber frame and heavy rammed earth walls appeared as an appropriate solution for this circumstance. The technique can easily be adapted for other buildings in the community, and further it minimizes the need of imported industrial materials. The building site thus became the laboratory of this new artisan project.

The building site was used as an exchange hub for notions about local peculiarities and technical issues.

image: Teodoro Chiaravellotti | © all rights reserved
i
materials and building techniques

The choice of material are based on two principles: affordable and easy to handle on site. Extensive research was done to understand the typical construction and uses of the buildings in the village. As a result, a rammed earth wall was made by hand using soil directly from the site, resting on a concrete footing and later covered in a thin coat of plaster to help protect the construction from the elements. The thick thermal mass helps regulate the fluctuations in temperature and provide a comfortable space. Panels of woven bamboo rods provide lateral shading in the larger areas and can be opened manually.
The frames are designed to use always the same timber section. The rammed earth walls are packed manually; a very efficient building technique that can be adapted for other projects or the self-built dwellings in the region.

The construction team included European students and volunteers, local construction workers and helpers from the local community. Competences and notions have been exchanged and built up during the whole building process.

building site

image: Giulia Celentano | © all rights reserved
i
timber framing

image: Giulia Celentano | © all rights reserved
i
rammed earth test with young helpers

image: Davide Onorati | © all rights reserved
i
rammed earth, details

image: Giulia Celentano | © all rights reserved
i
window detail in rammed earth wall

image: Giulia Celentano | © all rights reserved
i
details

image: Giulia Celentano | © all rights reserved
i
foldable elements allow to adjust shading and view

image: Sara Parlato | © all rights reserved
i
different bamboo patterns provide shade

image: Sara Parlato | © all rights reserved
i
read more >
< read less
image gallery
view from top

image: Giulia Celentano | © all rights reserved
i
southeast corner

image: Giulia Celentano | © all rights reserved
i
northwest view

image: Giulia Celentano | © all rights reserved
i
the kitchen volume

image: Giulia Celentano | © all rights reserved
i
raw earth elements a simple corrugated iron roof protects the raw earth walls

image: Giulia Celentano | © all rights reserved
i
kitchen

image: Giulia Celentano | © all rights reserved
i
kitchen space

image: Giulia Celentano | © all rights reserved
i
kitchen space

image: Giulia Celentano | © all rights reserved
i
technical drawings
Cerro La Granadilla is a rural settlement. Its economy is mainly based on corn growing and on the manufacture of fireworks. The trade school is part of a larger project aiming at providing viable alternatives. The same estate is already hosting a primary

image: courtesy of team C.A.S.A. | © all rights reserved
i
building sequence

image: courtesy of team C.A.S.A. | © all rights reserved
i
section | timber frames and rammed earth walls dominate the design

image: courtesy of team C.A.S.A. | © all rights reserved
i
floor plan level 0 | light timber frames provide protection from rain and direct sunlight for teaching and meeting activities while heavy volumes with rammed earth walls enclose the kitchen spaces.

image: courtesy of team C.A.S.A. | © all rights reserved
i
north elevation

image: courtesy of team C.A.S.A. | © all rights reserved
i
west elevation

image: courtesy of team C.A.S.A. | © all rights reserved
i
Location
show earth plate boundarieshide earth plate boundaries
Explore more inspirations
Keyword:
empowerment (70)
student participation (47)
local resources (101)
participation (113)
prev
  •  education
    Tongo school
    Tongo, Mali
  •  health & sanitation
    COMMUNITY COOKER
    Nairobi, Kenya
  •  meeting place
    laTren - elNodo Participatory Cultural Center
    Saltillo, Mexico
  • play
     health & sanitation
    Kamuna agricultural rehabilitation centre
    Kamuna, Cankuzo, Burundi
  •  meeting place
    El Pinto. equity through collective empowerment
    Querétaro, Mexico
  • GC2022 finalist
     meeting place
    Barrios que Cuidan
    Independencia - Lima, Peru
  •  infrastructure
    Medellín Metrocable
    Medellín, Colombia
  •  urban planning
    Incremental Development Scheme
    Khuda-ki-Basti, Pakistan
  • play
     health & sanitation
    KINATCO Community Centre Project : PHASE II
    Mathare 3A Slums, Nairobi, Kenya
  •  health & sanitation
    The Rain and the Umbrellas
    Bekasi Regency, Indonesia
  •  work & business
    Community Development Centre at Mystic Village
    Khajjiar, Himachal Pradesh, India
  •  recreation & sport
    sport clubhouse Kalobeyei, Kenya
    Kalobeyei, Kenya
  •  emergency shelter
    Safai Centre
    Delhi, India
  •  health & sanitation
    Better Bhalswa
    Delhi, India
  •  housing
    A Casa de Abuela Cuentacuentos
    Escobilla, Mexico
  •  meeting place
    Naidi Community Hall
    Naidi Village, Fiji
  •  meeting place
    Forgotten Spaces; from Rust to Revival !
    Cairo, Egypt
  • GC2021 finalist
     education
    Rebuilding the Haadibadi Community library
    Bengaluru City, India
  •  education
    Transforming Learning Spaces in Rwanda
    Muhanga, Rwanda
  •  education
    Hwange Technical College
    Hwange, Zimbabwe
  •  infrastructure
    The Informal-formal Bridge
    San Martín de los Andes, Neuquén, Argentina
  •  education
    Hostels for girls, Iringa region, Tanzania
    Iringa region, Tanzania
  •  work & business
    Beehive Technology and Enterprise Park
    Chilomoni, Blantyre, Malawi
  •  health & sanitation
    Green (Rose) Toilet in Mukuru Slums, Nairobi
    Nairobi, Kenya
  •  education
    Ilima Primary School
    Ilima, DR Congo
  • play
     meeting place
    Sunzu Village Community Center
    Burera, Rwanda
  •  meeting place
    THE SHIP WALL OF ANIMAS
    Havana, Cuba
  • GC2022 finalist
     work & business
    The Women's House of Imloul
    Imloul, Morocco
  •  infrastructure
    Taxi Rank
    Magagula Heights, Katlehong, South Africa
  •  recreation & sport
    Olive Grove Open Air cinema
    Moria, Lesvos, Greece
  • play
     religion & memorial
    Iglesia de Coquí
    Coquí, Chocó, Colombia
  •  housing
    Masoro Village Project
    Masoro, Rwanda
  • GC2021 finalist
     housing
    Jaraguá 160
    São Paulo, Brazil
  •  housing
    Community led housing design in Munting Nayon
    Muntinlupa City, Philippines
  •  health & sanitation
    Butaro hospital
    Burera, Rwanda
  •  meeting place
    Agaw-Agaw Resettlement: Social & Spatial Inclusion
    Muntinlupa City, Philippines
  •  housing
    Rural Bayview Village
    Bayview, U.S.A.
  •  education
    Impact Pavilion Ibadan: Connect, Learn, Thrive
    Alaka Community, Ojoo, Ibadan, Nigeria
  • GC2021 finalist
     education
    A School Built By the People, For The People
    Jorhat, India
  • GC2022 finalist
     housing
    KuNa, Construyendo Sueños
    El Astillero, Tola, Nicaragua
  •  housing
    Project Suitcase - Manchenahalli
    Rayanakkalu village, Manchenahalli Gram Panchayat, India
  •  meeting place
    El Faro de Mapasingue
    Guayaquil , Ecuador
  •  meeting place
    Multipurpose Room COVEMV
    Morelia, Mexico
  •  meeting place
    Iche_Food for thought: a hub for glocal innovation
    San Vicente, Ecuador
  •  education
    Bethel Secondary School
    Gourcy, Burkina Faso
  •  health & sanitation
    Warka Village Cameroon
    Cameroon
  •  housing
    Integrated People-driven Reconstruction
    Banda Aceh, Indonesia
  •  education
    Motherwell Community and Enviro Hub
    Gqeberha, South Africa
  •  education
    JAHMAZING Bamboo Lab
    Marley Coffee Farm, Blue Mountains, Jamaica
  •  meeting place
    Chamanga Cultural Center
    Chamanga, Ecuador
  •  education
    Temporary Classrooms for Migrant Schools
    Mae Sot, Thailand
  •  recreation & sport
    M&M Marketplace Enhancement Project - Plaza
    Hillsboro, U.S.A.
  • play
     education
    Mallki Wasi - Education for the Amazon guardians
    Kosñipata, Peru
  • play
     recreation & sport
    Plot ABC - phase 2
    Yangon, Myanmar (Burma)
  • play
     work & business
    Transforming Puffed Rice Making MicroBusiness Unit
    Dharwad, India
  • GC2021 finalist
     agriculture & fisheries
    Cocina CoLaboratorio
    Ejido Loma Bonita, Mexico
  •  agriculture & fisheries
    Community Greenhouse
    Quito, Ecuador
  •  housing
    Granby Four Streets
    Liverpool, United Kingdom
  •  health & sanitation
    Ruku Kucho Center for the Elderly
    Ecuador
  •  education
    Adharshila School Extension Project
    Agara Village, Sheopur District, Madhya Pradesh, India
  •  education
    Njoro Children's Library
    Mailisita, Kilimanjaro , Tanzania
  • play
    GC2022 finalist
     meeting place
    San Blas Social Action Center
    Caracas, Venezuela
  •  meeting place
    Old Vicarage Youth Centre
    Bradford, United Kingdom
  • play
     work & business
    Eco-brick goes MUD!
    Arusha, Tanzania
  •  education
    Silindokuhle Preschool
    Port Elizabeth, South Africa
  •  meeting place
    Community Learning Center Corralones
    Sacaba, Bolivia
  • play
     infrastructure
    Using Waste to Manage Waste
    Sangti, India
  •  housing
    La Passerelle, France
    Seine Saint-Denis, France
  •  housing
    Ciudadelas de Paz - Building for Peace
    Manaure, Cesar, Colombia
  •  urban planning
    Parque El Óvalo - Pamplona Alta (Lima, Perú)
    Lima, Peru
next