SITE SIGHTS, HAITI

THOUGHTS FROM DELMAS, HAITI

Architects create the spaces that we inhabit. I sit here inhabiting a second floor balcony at Maison Blanche, a guest house in Delmas, Haiti. Delmas is a suburb of Port au Prince, east and slightly north of the city. To my left, with views to the west and the bay of Port au Prince in the horizon, sits my colleague Stefan Schwarzkopf. Day is giving way to night. The sun dances on the water and dusk covers the city creating a sense of calm. This is Haiti, however, and underneath this façade is chaos.

From my vantage point Stefan is busy at his computer revising drawings of a housing prototype we’ve designed for a planned community in Zoranger, 30 minutes north of downtown Port-au-Prince. Bodies will one day inhabit the bricks and mortar, or more precisely structural concrete insulated panels, we’re orchestrating with our computer generated drawings. As I look east there are the remains of a concrete block structure. The roof porous but for tarps stamped USAID. People have gathered in the space provided to pray. Church hymns fill the early evening. The spirit of Haitians has survived. Keep going east along the dirt road and a banner spans your path. INSTITUT DES PHILOSOPHES

Within the course of 100 meters the body, soul, and mind have come together.

-Greg

WELCOME

Welcome to our blog!

Inscape Publico provides affordable concept design services to our non-profit clients, and those they serve, that are looking to open a new facility, move locations, or renovate existing space. Concept design services entail formulating a solution to a design challenge. In order to accomplish this we will analyze the physical conditions of a site, understand the character and mission of each client, and develop a program that speaks directly to particulars of a given project. We communicate our solution through plans, building sections and 3D images.

Our deliverables, plans, building sections, and 3D images, allow our clients to share the vision of their future space with all stakeholders including their board of directors, staff, financial institutions, government officials, and potential donors. The concept design presentation describes the physical characteristics of our clients' projects, allowing them to obtain accurate construction costs and set fundraising goals. The information generated, and analysis thereof, enables our clients to understand the feasibility of their vision and move forward with confidence.

We believe that innovative contemporary design has the power to inspire positive change within communities. We seek to work with non-profits whose mission it is to foster this change. While focusing on organizations that support the arts and education, we also aspire to work with non-profits that provide humanitarian relief and health and social services.

For more information, please take a look at our website.