Health Clinic for Haiti by Kristen Smith

HEALTH CLINIC IN USE

What are Haiti’s most pressing health challenges? Immediately following the quake, trauma injuries were the most urgent medical concern, but the focus now is on follow-up of patients who have had surgery as well as basic primary healthcare services, including services for maternal-child health and chronic diseases including diabetes, heart disease, HIV, and tuberculosis, among others.

(Pan-American Health Organization, 19 Feb 2010)

The intention of this project by architect Kristen Smith is to construct a series of permanent structures throughout the massively damaged areas near Port-au-Prince, so that all inhabitants are at a walkable distance away from a clinic site [1/3 mile].

The mobile health clinic is composed of three pods that contain the necessary medicines and supplies; these pods along with the medical staff travel between the clinic sites. When the mobile clinic is not at a site, then the local community can use the shaded space. This space along with the refrigerator can be used for outdoor markets, community gatherings, educational groups, women’s support groups, and movie screenings.

HEALTH CLINIC - ALTERNATIVE USE

It is designed to be lightweight and open. The program and structure are focused on a 4’ wide core, which minimizes self-built foundations. The permanent structure includes a large amorphous photovoltaic array supported by steel columns, a solar refrigerator, and a storage/mechanical room. This structure is built of materials from disassembled shipping containers.

The solar panels provide shading for the site, which is crucial in this hot climate. Sunlight is a natural disinfectant; a limited amount of beneficial sunlight enters the project through the 4” spacing between photovoltaic panels. The generated electricity powers the refrigerator, and excess electricity can be used by the local community.

HEALTH CLINIC DISTRIBUTION IN CITE SOLEIL; HAITI