The climate crisis is directly affecting weather patterns globally. This has spurred an increase in the frequency and severity of cyclones in the South Pacific, with two category 5 cyclones (the highest severity) recorded in 2020- previously thought to be a once every 50 - 80 year occurrence.

This workshop looked to produce design solutions for a Women’s Community Hall in Urata Village, Fiji with NGO Naqaqa Giving Foundation.

The challenges

The vast majority of South Pacific island nations and remote communities are stuck in the cycle of rebuilding sub-standard, cheap and quick buildings out of necessity, only for them to be destroyed in the next cyclone. There is a desperate need to improve quality and effectiveness of reconstruction after the devastation and trauma of natural disasters. For a number of years, the community hall in Urata Village had been in a very poor condition. During Cyclone Winston in 2016, the hall was wiped out entirely, leaving nothing but a concrete foundation in its wake. Over the last few years, women from the Urata community have been raising funds to rebuild their hall to be used as a hub for the local women’s club amongst many additional functions. The community hall is at the heart of any Fijian village and is largely used as an evacuation building to go to for protection during a cyclone. The design brief called for a large span, flexible open space that will withstand the effects of a cyclone. Plenty of space is required for storage of craft materials and village supplies. The space will also be used as a nursing station, so a private and lockable treatment room large enough for 1 nurse and 1 patient was necessary.

Over the course of the workshop, participants researched and explored different methods of approaching this difficult issue. With consistent discussions and feedback from end-users and experienced professionals, the participants produced a design proposal for the community hall, a system, or a guideline for design that is both ambitious and feasible.

The work produced culminated in a virtual exhibition (accessed below). The next phase of the research will be analysing the body of work and progressing key themes forward into a workable design which will be built a the Urata Village Site, in Fiji.

Each participant’s research and proposals have been collated and curated into the gallery below.

Background Research

Village communities across Fiji are made up of self-builders, with a baseline knowledge in construction and structural strategies. An example of traditional Fijian vernacular can be found in the form of the ‘Bure’, which is the name given to homes constructed from timber, woven leaves and bamboo. These buildings are dark inside, with few windows and usually only one low door. Earth pits can be found in certain homes where the cooking is done, creating a smoky interior with little ventilation. Alternatively, the packed earth floors are covered with leaves or woven mats. These traditional ways of building have become a rarity in many regions. A more contemporary design quickly took its place - typically a raised timber structure with weatherboard cladding, and metal roofing sheets. Windows are in-filled with adjustable glass louvre blades, making for much brighter and better ventilated spaces. These structures often include the use of cyclone strapping and withstand winds to a higher level than that of a traditional Bure. However, with the ever increasing frequency and strength of cyclones, a much more rigorous and refined design is required - one that can ensure the safety of its users for decades to come.