Global Design:

Final Compilation and Reflection

Shelby Johnson
INTA312
Global Design
Professor Matthew Swiertz
Week 6 Assignment 1
28 March 2017
 Table of Contents
Religion Research, 3 - 8
Worship Space Poster, 9
Religion Research Sources, 10 - 11
Refugee Regions Research and Essay, 12 - 15
Refugee Regions Sources, 16 - 17
Displacement and Shelter, 18 - 21
Displacement Shelter Sources, 22 - 23
Natural Disaster Research and Essay, 24 - 28
Natural Disaster Temporary Shelter Poster, 29
Natural Disaster Sources, 30 - 31
Poverty Research and Essay, 32 - 37
Homeless Shelter Poster, 38
Poverty Sources, 39 - 40
Gender Inequality Research and Essay, 41 - 46
Women and Children’s Shelter Poster, 47
Gender Inequality Sources, 48 - 49
Reflection Essay, 50
Religion Research
Shelby Johnson
INTA312
Global Design
Professor Matthew Swiertz
Week 1 Assignment 2
22 February 2017

3
Religion Comparison Chart

Religion Description of God(s) Values and Beliefs Salvation / Afterlife Holy Book Founder/Origin

Buddhism In general, no god Achieving Nirvana (the Self-effort to follow Tripitaka Siddhartha
entity. “Mahayana highest form of bliss), Four the eight-fold path. (Sprunger) Gautama
Buddhism has noble truths, the Eight-fold Salvation through re- (Allan)
deities which function path: “right views, intention, incarnation and laws
as saviors.” (Sprunger) speech, action, livelihood, of karma. Nirvana is
effort, mindfulness, and the highest destiny or
concentration.” (Allan) goal of the spirit.
(Sprunger)
Christianity God / Jesus (in most Love and faith in God, Salvation through The Holy Bible Jesus of Nazareth
denominations, the service to man, the church faith in Jesus Christ. (Sprunger)
triad of Father, Son, body, the Ten command- Afterlife of either
and Holy Spirit) ments; humility, truth, heaven or hell.
grace, and self-control.
(Sprunger)
Hinduism Brahman (imperson- Honesty, knowledge, Achieving Nirvana “The Vedas, Upa- Ancient Aryans from
al)- “eternal, con- self-control, patience. is the highest goal. nishads, Code of Persia
scious, irreducible, “Divine immanence and A person’s spirit is Manu, (Sprunger)
infinite, omnipresent, spiritual growth” governed permanent and is Bhagavad-Gita”
and the spiritual core by the laws of karma and reborn in reincarna- (Sprunger)
of the universe.” reincarnation. (Sprunger) tion. (“Hinduism and
(“brahman”) Death”)
Islam Allah as the all-know- “Five Pillars: creed, prayer, Heaven and Hell, The Quran: 28 proph- Muhammed (Sprun-
ing all- almsgiving, fasting and salvation through ets of Allah. (Sprun- ger)
seeing god. pilgrimage”. Predestination submission to the will ger)
(Sprunger) and ruls of conduct. (Sprun- of Allah and living
ger) by the Five Pillars.
(Sprunger)

Judaism El Elyon; Elohim; Je- 10 Commandments, truth, Faith, righteous living The Torah (Old Abraham and Moses
hovah;Yahweh kindness, justice, righ- and the coming of Testament) and The (Sprunger)
(Sprunger) teousness, humility, the Messiah will bring Talmud
learning, kosher food. salvation. (Sprunger)
(Sprunger) (Sprunger)

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Hinduism - The Religion and its Worship Spaces
Hinduism is a complex system of beliefs practiced mainly by the Indian society. There are a wide range of beliefs and
traditions within this religion, some that contradict each other. The variety within the religion may be due to the fact that there is
no single religious text claiming to be the truth above all other texts. The religion does not originate from a single founder, single
book, or even a single point in time. Rather, “a rich geography, many languages and dialects, lots of different creeds”, as well as
racial diversity have shaped the complex religion of Hinduism. (Violatti)
The beginnings of Hinduism can be found in the ancient rishis, also known as “sages”. This term describes the com-
posers and singers of Vedic hymns over different time periods. It is believed that precious Vedas (knowledge) was revealed to
the rishis, which is why this collection of hymns is at the heart of Hinduism. From these and other Hindu texts come intellectual
philosophies, metaphysical concerns, rituals, exercises (both mental and physical) such as Yoga, and tales. (“Rishis”)
The value of sight, or “darsan” is very important to Hindus. It is believed that seeing gurus, holy leaders, holy places or
images is a two-way connection between the viewer and the holy person or thing. “While the devotee sees the god, so too the
god sees the devotee, and the two can make contact through their eyes.” When holy images are created, the eyes are the last
part to be completed by the artist. When the image is consecrated, the eyes are opened with the touch of a paintbrush or prick
of a golden needle. Some gods have a third eye, including the popular gods Shiva and Ganesha. The god Brahma, the “Thou-
sand-Eyes”, has four heads and sees in all directions at one time. An emphasis on site is a defining factor of the Hindu’s rela-
tionship with their gods, a factor that makes Hinduism very different from other religions. (Violetti)
Hindus gather in temples, or mandirs, for “Puja”. Puja
is “the act of showing reverence to a god, a spirit, or another
aspect of the divine through invocations, prayers, songs, and
rituals.” Hindus also conduct puja in their homes or outdoor
public spaces in front of a shrine. The shrine shows an image
or statue, and also “contains things which represent the five
senses.” The idea is to draw the whole person into worship
through the image or statue and the senses. The goal is to get
beyond self to Brahmin. A bell is also often rung to help focus
the mind. During puja, a shrine displaying an image or symbol
of a god is placed before the people. As mentioned before,
sight of the symbol or holy being allows a spiritual connection
between the viewer and what is being viewed. Temples are
believed to be the sacred earthly seat of a specific god, and
the place where the god awaits its devotees. Since the gods
are like kings, temples resemble palaces. The decoration of the
temple is specific to the god of that temple. When devotees en- 5
ter the temple, they remove their shoes. The “innermost sanc- (Figure 1: Sri Ekambaranathar Temple in Kanchipuram)
tuary of the temple contains the principal image of the deity.” (“Hindu Puja”)
Figure 1 shows the incredible Sri Ekambaranathar Temple in Kanchipuram in
the state of Tamil Nadu, India. The temple is dedicated to the Hindu god Shiva. It is
the larg-est temple in its state, and attracts massive crowds. It is one of five major
Shiva temples, each of the five temples represent a natural element: earth (which is
this temple), water, fire, wind, and sky. (“One of the Finest Shiva Temples”)
Figure 2 shows Kandariya Mahadev Temple, the largest temple in Khajuraho,
central India. The plan of Mahadev Temple has all rooms aligned east to west on a
central axis. Two balconies project from the south and north sides creating the shape
of a double cross. The double cross plan “deterined that the temple had no straight
sides and extended the tall surface to give the artists litlerally hundreds of metres of
wall space to decorate with bands of sculptures.” (“Kandariya Mahadev Temple, Kha-
juraho”) This means that the temple was designed specifically for the viewing of holy
objects. (Figure 2: Kandariya Mahadev Temple)
An example of Puja being performed at home can be seen in Figure 3. Most Hindu homes have a shrine, as puja must be
performed at least once a day by a member of the household. (“Hindu Puja”) There is enough space for the devotee to sit cross-
legged on the floor, sometimes on a pillow or rug, facing the shrine of image(s) and sensory objects. A table is used for the senso-
ry ojects, and a small covered structure houses the holy images/statue.
Puja can be performed outdoors, as shown in Figure 4. Often in outdoor places of worship, there is a large stone floor
where devotees sit side by side, facing the shrine. Sometimes the spaces are covered with a shelter, but not always. There is typi-
cally a large platform to hold the image (that must be large enough for the crowd to see) and objects. The shrine is often intricately
decorated based on the deity it represents. It seems that in all types of Hindu worship spaces, these things are required: space
to gather and face the shrine, a platform for the shrine and sensory objects (decoration based on the deity), a stone or tile floor
(common but not necesary), a platform for the speaker or leader to sit (in larger ceremonies) and acoustics designed for group
singing.

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(Figure 3: Puja Altar in a Home) (Figure 4: Oudoor Puja)
Sketches

Sources: “Mandir” and “Temples of India”

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8
 Design Concept
The Hamsa Center of Puja, located in the West San Diego Community Center, will be a
superb setting for various Hindu worship services. The inspiration for the design is the
hamsa, or swan. The hamsa is the vehicle for Brahma and Saraswati deities, as well as
a symbol of knowledge and self-realization. The color pallette, inspired by the hamsa,
will provide a neutral palette to accommodate the different colors and decor of
various Hindu cereminies. The flooring solutions will consist of a soft white tile for the
center walkway and along the altar, and a beige high quality carpet in the seating area
(for comfort as well as acoustic solution). Eye-catching beige and gold Eastern style
lanterns will add interest to the design. The walls will be a soft white as well, to
complement the decorative textiles that will be hung for ceremonies. Along the walls

HAMSA of the worship space are custom-lit built-in shelves that hold the Hindu trinity deities,
as well as their female counterparts. The result will be a soothing, comfortable
environment specially designed for joining together in worship.
center of puja
Hindu Worship Space
Designed by Shelby Johnson
INTA312 Global Design, W1A3
Professor Matthew Swiertz
24 February 2017

Custom Lighting
Solution

Preliminary
Floorplan

North Elevation

West Elevation Inspiration

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Figures Cited
Fig. 1: “Sri Ekambaranathar Temple in Kanchipuram.” Hindutva. Web. 22 February 2017.
<http://hindutva.info/finest-shiva-temple-ekambaranathar-temple-kanchipuram/>
Fig. 2: Jarvis, Dennis. “Kandariya Mahadev Temple”. Ancient History Encyclopedia. Web. 22 February 2017.
<http://www.ancient.eu/image/3970/>
Fig. 3: Tyler, Hal. “Hindu Worship.” Smugmug. Web. 22 February 2017.
<http://www.haltylerphotography.com/keyword/Hindu%20Worship/>
Fig. 4: Stadler, Otto. “Hindu ceremony.” GettyImages. Web 22 February 2017.
< http://www.gettyimages.com/detail/video/priest-performs-hindu-ceremony-with-worshipers-in-stock-video-foot
age/151831194>

10
Work Cited
Allan, John. “The Eight-Fold Path” Basic Buddhism Guide. Web. 22 February 2017.
<http://www.buddhanet.net/e-learning/8foldpath.htm>
“brahman”. Encyclopedia Britannica. 05 March 2015. Web. 22 February 2017.
<https://www.britannica.com/topic/brahman-Hindu-concept>
“Hinduism and Death.” BBC. Web. 22 February 2017.
<http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize/rs/death/hindubeliefrev2.shtml>
“Hindu Puja”. Lotus Scripture. Web. 22 February 2017.
<http://www.lotussculpture.com/my_articles_puja.html>
“Kandariya Mahadev Temple, Khajuraho”. Khajuraho. Web. 22 February 2017.
<http://www.khajuraho-india.org/kandariya-mahadev-temple.html>
“Mandir”. The Heart of Hinduism. Web. 22 February 2017.
<https://iskconeducationalservices.org/HoH/practice/312.htm>
“One of the Finest Shiva Temples”. Hindutv. April 2015. Web. 22 February 2017.
<http://hindutva.info/finest-shiva-temple-ekambaranathar-temple-kanchipuram/>
“Rishis.” Hinduism. Web. 22 February 2017.
<http://www.freebsd.nfo.sk/hinduism/rishi.htm>
Sprunger, Meredith J. Rev. “Belief Comparisons of the World’s Major Religions.” Urantia Book Fellowship.
Web. 22 Feb. 2017.
<http://www.urantiabook.org/archive/readers/religion_belief_comparisons.htm>
“Temples of India.” Kamat’s Potpourri. Web. 22 February 2017.
< http://www.kamat.com/kalranga/temples/parts.htm>
Violatti, Cristian. “Hinduism.” Ancient History Encyclopedia. 11 May 2013. Web. 22 February 2017.
<http://www.ancient.eu/hinduism/>

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Refugee World
Regions Essay
Shelby Johnson
INTA312
Global Design
Professor Matthew Swiertz
Week 2 Assignment 1
March 1 2017

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Major Refugee Regions
Middle East (Afghanistan, Iraq, and Syria)
The Middle East has been a hot zone for conflict for quite some time. There are several major problems in the Middle East today, includ-
ing the Syrian war, the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, and lawless violence in Iraq, Afghanistan, and surrounding countries. These countries
have broken governments and groups with conflicting political and religious views. Poverty is also a huge problem, causing many people
to join violent groups that promise care. Iraq is considered to be the world capital of terrorism. The violence and danger in the Middle East
has caused a staggering amount of displacement of many people from their homes. (Bowen) At the end of 2015, an estimated 2.7 million
Afghan refugees fled to Pakistan and Iran, facing possibilities of deportation and poverty. (Niland) The Syrian War has forced more than 11
million people from their homes, as forces loyal to President Bashar al-Assad, opposed to his rule, as well as jihadist militants battle each
other. (“Syria, the Story of the Conflict”)

Asia/Southeast Asia (Vietnam, Malaysia, Philippines, China, and Korea)

The prevalent conflicts in the Asia and Southeast Asia regions are driven mainly by religious and ethnic differences, fragile governments,
as well as struggles over minority rights. (“Critical Issues: Ethnic and Religious Conflicts”) Myanmar is home to many violent rebel groups.
Clan wars and ubiquity of firearms are just a couple of the problems in the Philippines. “Some 100,000 people were temporarily displaced
by a government offensive against a rebel group in the Philippines, and a similar number were displaced when Kokang rebels attacked
government forces in northern Myanmar.” (Wardenaer) Another conflict in this region, involving territory disputes, began several years
ago. Beijing claimed ownership of the Scarborough Reef in the South China Sea, producing a dispute with the Philippines. China is also
involved in a dispute over the Spratly Islands and Paracel Islands. (“Power politics equal conflict in Southeast Asia”)

Africa (Somalia, Congo, Ethiopia, and Kenya)

Africa is home to several prevalent conflicts. The Libyan Civil War has caused a great deal of violence and death as they struggle to form
a working government. The Congo War, beginning in 1998, involves violent rebel groups (including one called M23) and a struggling
Kinsasha government. The violence created in the war has caused many people to flee from their homes and become refugees. Another
long-term conflict in the region began as a religious uprising against the Uganda government, and turned into a “multi-nation hunt for war-
lord Joseph Kony” and his followers (Lord’s Resistance Army). Uganda and the United States are strongly involved in the pursuit, as well
as South Sudan, Congo, Uganda, and the Central African Republic. (“Current Wars of Africa”)

Central America/Caribbean Islands (Columbia, Haiti, Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Mexico)
The conflicts in Central America and the Caribbean islands are caused by several factors: poverty, policies that favor the wealthy, and a
shortage of available farmland. The poverty in these areas has caused many to leave their homeland in search of better job opportunities.
Refugees often send money back to their family members that remain in the poverty-stricken countries. (“Central America and the Carib-
bean”) In 2014, nearly 4 million immigrants “from the Caribbean resided in the United States, accounting for 9 percent of the nation’s 42.4
million immigrants. More than 90 percent of Caribbean immigrants came from five countries: Cuba, the Dominican Republic, Jamaica,
Haiti, and Trinidad and Tobago”. (Zong and Batalova)

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The Democratic Republic of Congo
Conflict
As Congo, which was previously a communist nation, continues to make changes to their consistution, political tension increas-
es. Conflicting opinions about the proposal of President Joseph Kabila to remain in office for more than two consecutive terms
is causing resistance. The Government has responded with “threats, violence, and arbitrary arrests.” In addition, there are doz-
ens of remaining armed groups active in Eastern Congo. These groups are responsible for many war crimes. The Congolese
army, meant to protect the civilian population, instead abuses and commits crimes against the people of Congo. (“Democratic
Republic of Congo”) Women are a major target of sexist beliefs and violent acts by men. (McManus) According to the Refugee
Project official website, 533,734 refugees have resulted from the problems in Congo as of 2015. (“2015, Congo”)

Culture, Location, and Architecture

The Democratic Republic of Congo has one of the larg-

est populations in Africa, made up of many groups speaking
different Bantu languages. DR Congo is one of the most lin-
guistically diverse countries in the world. Kikongo is spoken in
the southwest, “Lingala in the northwest, Tshiluba in the centre
and Swahili in the east.” These languages, as well as French,
are used in DR Congo. Christianity is the most practiced reli-
gion in the country, with half the population Roman Catholic.
Many Congolese combine Christian beliefs with traditional
animist religious practices, which include a strong belief in the
spirit world. Fear of evil spirits and witchcraft is common in DR
Congo. (“People and Culture”)
The Congolese culture places importance on music
and dance. ‘Musique Zaïroise’ describes the region’s music. A
popular style of Musique Zaïroise is Soukous, a combination
of jazz and rumba sounds. It is common to see bands playing
homemade instruments on the city streets. “In Goma, an an-
nual Skiff arts festival is held as a showcase for the region’s
music, poetry and films.” (“People and Culture”)
Figure 1: Building often have thatched roofs

14
 Mudwall thatched-roof buildings are common in the Democratic Republic of
Congo, and many other African countries. This is one way that location effects the
vernacular architecture. People use the natural materials available to them in their
area, which in this case is Raffia palm and a clay-like mud. (“African Architecture”)
DR Congo is an under-developed country, lacking infrastructure. It is difficult to
import materials such as glass and cement due to the lack of roads. For this reason,
these materials are not commonly seen in DRC architecture. (McManus)
Bamboo is also a common material in DRC architecture, and that of other
west African countries. It is often used as the main structural component in mud
homes. “Its straight stalks, used as screen walls, are lashed with thin wood strips to
produce crisp rectangular houses with peaked thatched roofs, as among the Nyakyu-
sa of Tanzania.” Bamboo construction is common in the “tall houses” of the Bamileke
and western Cameroon cultures. With bamboo construction, Congolese architecture
produced “steep prefabricated pyramidal roofs raised on platforms with verandas; the Mud Bricks
whole structure frequently reached 33 feet (10 metres) or more, with male and fe-
male ancestor figures often flanking the doors.” Also common are tall conical houses,
made of bamboo poles joined at the crest and then covered with a leaf thatched roof.
(Hess and Oliver)

DR Congo Embassy
Round house with thatch roof Bamboo structural support for round houses
Bamboo 15
Figures Cited
Fig. 1: Stout, Michael. “Thatched Roof”. African Vernacular Architecture Data Base. Web. 28 February 2017.
<http://www.africavernaculararchitecture.com/democratic-republic-of-the-congo/>

16
Work Cited
“African Architecture.” Pitt.Edu. Web. 28 February 2017.
<http://www.pitt.edu/~tokerism/0040/africa.html>
Bowen, Jeremy. “Migrant Crisis: How the Middle East Wars Fuel the Problem”. BBC News. 9 September 2015. Web.
<http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-34193762>
“Central America and the Caribbean”. Quizlet. Web. 28 February 2017.
<https://quizlet.com/69830027/chapter-11-central-america-and-the-caribbean-flash-cards/>
“Critical Issues: Ethnic and Religious conflicts”. The Asia Foundation. Web. 28 February 2017.
<http://asiafoundation.org/slideshow/critical-issues-ethnic-and-religious-conflicts/>
“Current Wars of Africa.” The History Guy. November 2016. Web. 28 February 2017.
<http://www.historyguy.com/wars_of_africa_current.html>
“Democratic Republic of Congo”. Human Rights Watch. Web. 28 February 2017.
<https://www.hrw.org/africa/democratic-republic-congo>
Hess, Janet B., and Paul Oliver. Encyclopedia Britannica. Web. 28 February 2017.
< https://www.britannica.com/art/African-architecture>
McManus, David. “DRC Schools.” E-Architect. Web. 28 February 2017.
<http://www.e-architect.co.uk/africa/democratic-republic-congo-schools>
Niland, Norah. “Afghan Refugees.” Watson Institute of International & Public Affairs. Brown University. December 2016. Web.
28 February 2017.
<http://watson.brown.edu/costsofwar/costs/human/refugees/afghan>
“People and Culture.” Our Africa. Web. 28 February 2017.
< http://www.our-africa.org/democratic-republic-of-congo/people-culture>
“Power politics equal conflict in Southeast Asia”. DW. Web. 28 February 2017.
<http://www.dw.com/en/power-politics-equal-conflict-in-southeast-asia/a-16091138>
“Syria, the Story of the Conflict”. BBC News. 11 March 2016. Web. 28 February 2017.
< http://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-26116868>
Wardenaer, Jens. “The State of Conflict in Southeast Asia. IISS Voices. 22 May 2015. Web. 28 February 2017.
< https://www.iiss.org/en/iiss%20voices/blogsections/iiss-voices-2015-dda3/may-d09d/the-state-of-conflict-in-south
east-asia-f1a3>
Zong, Jie, and Jeanne Batalova. “Carribean Immigrants in the United States.” Migration Policy Institute. 14 September 2016.
Web. 28 February 2017.
< http://www.migrationpolicy.org/article/caribbean-immigrants-united-states>
“2015, Congo”. The Refugee Project. Web. 28 February 2017,
<http://www.therefugeeproject.org/#/2015>

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Displacement and
Shelter
Shelby Johnson
INTA312
Global Design
Professor Matthew Swiertz
Week 2 Assignment 2
March 2 2017

18
Displacement and Shelter Essay
The effects of homelessness and displacement on a human are severe. There are many reasons a person might find
themselves without a home. Displacement occurs when a person is forced from their home due to factors out of thier control.
They may need to leave their home due to war, mistreatment, famine, poverty, or fear as a result of these problems. When
someone flees their home country out of fear of these issues, they are considered refugees. According to The Geneva Acade-
my of International Humanitarian Law and Human Rights, a refugee is a person that:

When owing to well-founded fear of being persecuted for reasons of race, religion, nationality, membership of a particular social
group or political opinion, is outside the country of his nationality and is unable or, owing to such fear, is unwilling to avail him-
self of the protection of that country; or who, not having a nationality and being outside the country of his former habitual resi-
dence as a result of such events, is unable or, owing to such fear, is unwilling to return to it. (AIPOD)

It is difficult for one to imagine the hardships faced by refugees if one has never experienced homelessness or displace-
ment. The effects of homelessness are both physical and mental. Physically, a homeless/displaced person has a high risk of
experiencing skin disease, sexual assault, nutritional deficiencies, sleep deprivation, hypothermia, tuberculosis (and other ill-
nesses), and even death. Mental illness is also very possible, as it is extremely traumatizing to become homeless. The personal
effects of homelessness/displacement include: low self esteem, high risk of drug dependency, behavioral issues, loss of per-
sonal care, increased chance of performing criminal acts, and chance of becoming instituionalized. Depression is a likely result
of homelessness, and suicide is not uncommon. (“Effects of Homelessness”) There are resources in the United States that aim
to help the homeless and displaced.
There are a variety of shelters in locations across the country. Day shelters provide a place for people to sleep at night;
hygiene products and meals might be offered. Emergency homeless shelters provide short-term residence (3 months or less)
with meals and support services free of charge. Halfway Houses help people transition from shelters or homelessness to per-
manent housing, with a stay period of 6 months to 2 years. In Halfway Houses, residents pay 30% of their income towards rent
and program fees (sometimes recieving the money back when they move out). Permanent Affordable Housing is income-based
rent (30% of income) with either no maximum stay time, or a max of 3 - 5 years. Supportive Housing is for those who are un-
able to care for themselves, as a result of age, disability, illness, or other situation. Shared housing helps homeless work to-
gether to get back on their feet. Transitional homes offer support and programs designed to help people become self-sufficient.
(“Homeless Shelter Listings and Supportive Housing”) Any person facing homelessness is able to take advantage of these
resources. Another resource is The Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR), an organization that offers unique aid to people who
fit the description of “refugee”.
ORR provides “time-limited cash and medical assistance to new arrivals, as well as support for case management ser-
vices, English as a Foreign Language classes, and job readiness and employment services – all designed to facilitate refugees’
successful transition to life in the U.S. and help them to attain self-sufficiency.” (“Refugees”) 19
ORR also offers programs for micro-enterprise development, agriculture and community self-help, and therapy for survivors of
torture. Upon refugee arrival, ORR follows a placement process to find the best community for the refugee to thrive in. These
communities offer opportunities for economic independence and employment, as well as special needs support. These are just
a couple needs of refugees or displaced people have.
The immediate needs of the displaced are clean water, food, and a secure shelter. Next are personal/emotional, mental,
and spiritual needs. Needs can vary between groups of people. A Christian person from the Democratic Republic of Congo
would have different cultural customs and certain needs than a muslim refugee from Syria. Therefore, it is important to address
needs in a culturally sensitive way. One way this can be done is by offering variety in things like meals and worship spaces,
as these are incredibly diverse between different cultures. Many refugees come from places of sexual assault and violence. It
is important to ensure a feeling of safety and comfort, which may mean providing seperate spaces for men and women. Lan-
guage barriers can make displaced people feel more alone. It would help if displaced people could be placed around others
that spoke their language. Leisure activities can also be planned in a culturally sensitive way. Books could be in a variety of
languages. In some cultures, such as the Congolese, dance and music is important. Perhaps a shelter could include a music
room/dance hall with planned events tailored to each different culture.

Elements that should be included in a temporary shelter are:

- sleeping/small living units to accomodate singles, families, and those with special needs (include restroom in each)
- nondenominational worship space to accomodate different types of services
- recreation / lounge area
- meeting rooms, rooms for counseling and program events
- common dining area, kitchen
- public restroom
- storage
- entry vestibule for security
- sturdy furniture: comfortable, durable, and aesthetically pleasing
- laundry area
- floor coverings that are durable, nonslip, and sustainable
- design selectons inspired by the residents to make them feel most comfortable

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Refugee Shelter: Women and Children’s Unit
The Refugee Shelter for Women and Children design is
inspired by the natural materials and breathtaking views
of the African plains. An earthy vibe will be created with
bamboo decor and finishes, earthy tiles, and wicker accent
furniture. Cultural considerations are made with a worship
space, library, and music hall. The shelter will be a home
away from home, offering comfort and inspiring community.
Light Fixture

Finish Concept- Common Spaces

Clay tiles and bamboo ceiling with exposed wood beams

Bamboo decor- space dividers Women + Children Shelter Space Plan 21

Single Standard Unit
Bamboo floors and modern African-inspired decor
Figures Cited
Fig. 1: Stout, Michael. “Thatched Roof”. African Vernacular Architecture Data Base. Web. 28 February 2017.
<http://www.africavernaculararchitecture.com/democratic-republic-of-the-congo/>

22
Work Cited
AIPOD. “Refugees and Displacement.” Global Design. The Art Institute of Pittsburgh Online Division. Web. 2 March 2017.
“Effects of Homelessness”. Washington State University. Web. 2 March 2017.
<http://depts.washington.edu/triolive/quest/2007/TTQ07033/effects.html>
“Homeless Shelter Listings and Supportive Housing”. Shelterlistings.org. Web. 2 March 2017.
<http://www.shelterlistings.org/state/colorado.html>
“Refugees”. ORR. Web. 2 March 2017.
<https://www.acf.hhs.gov/orr/refugees>

23
 Natural Disaster
Research and Essay
Shelby Johnson
INTA312
Global Design
Professor Matthew Swiertz
Week 3 Assignment 1
March 8 2017

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Waldo Canyon Fires, Colorado Springs, CO, United States, 2012
The most costly fire in Colorado history began June, 2012. Investigator found that the fire was human-caused, but they
are unsure whether it was intentional or accidental. The fire took two human lives, burned 18,000 acres west of Colorado
Springs, and destroyed 347 homes. The combined market value of the destroyed homes was at least $110 million. Approxi-
mately 32,000 residents were told to evacuate, including residents of U.S. Air Force Academy. (Olinger) 450 firefighters from
several different agencies worked to stop the fire. Aid was provided by the “U.S. Forest Service, Department of the Interior,
Department of Defense and FEMA” for recovery from the damage. (NORAD and USNORTHCOM Public Affairs) The disas-
ter forced many from their homes. Local schools and churches offered cots and temporary shelter for the displaced that had
no one to say with. (Lee) Airmen from the Air Force Academy, Schriever and Peterson Air Force bases and soldiers from Fort
Carson set up a processing center at the Academy’s Community Center to help file vouchers for Academy housing and bar-
racks residents who were displaced during the fire. (Branum) Rebuilding efforts worked rapidly to repair the burnt homes. As
of September 30, 2014, “276 permits have been issued to rebuild, leaving a grand total of 70 homes that have not been rebuilt
as of this date. That means just under two and a half years after the fire, the Mountain Shadows area is now 79.8% rebuilt!” A
number of home owners that lost their homes decided to sell their lots and move elsewhere. (Stauffer)

(Fig 1)

25
(Fig 3) (Fig 2)
Gorkha Earthquake, Central Nepal, 2015
In April of 2015, a massive earthquake with a moment magnitude of 7.8 struck near the city of Kathmandu. Approximately
9,000 people were killed, thousands were injures, and 600,000 structures were damaged or destroyed. Several large after-
shocks occured, killing and injuring even more. “Some 2.8 million people displaced by the earthquake”. A United Nations (UN)
report claimed that more than eight million people (more than one-fourth of Nepal’s population) were affected by the earth-
quake. The Nepalese government declared a state of emergency, and sent the Nepalese army to assist in rescue and recov-
ery. Nepal also called for international aid. “The UN quickly established the “Nepal Earthquake 2015 Flash Appeal” fund, whose
goal was to raise an estimated $415 million for Nepal’s earthquake relief. By some two weeks after the earthquake, more than
$330 million had been either provided directly or pledged.” India, China, and several other countries also sent in rescue and
aid teams. “Tent cities” rose up for people who lost their homes. (“Nepal Earthquake of 2015”) Organizations such as the Red
Cross provided necessities and emergency shelter for victims. Tents were the primary emergency shelter, presumably because
of they are most inexpensive and more easily available for such a mass amount of displaced people. Tin sheds were also used
by displaced villagers. Rebuilding efforts have been slow, mostly due to political upset. While some progress has been made,
much of the destruction left by the earthquake remains. (Kumar, Sindhupalchok)

(Fig 5)
(Fig 7) (Fig 4)

26
Population Displacement due to Natural Disaster
An average of 26.4 million per year have been displaced by natural disasters since 2008. This is equivalent to one person being
displaced each second. (“Global Displacements”) Floods, hurricanes, and earthquakes can destroy homes and cause widespread home-
lessness. The responsibility for caring for displaced people falls mainly on the affected nation’s government. “It is the mandate of the
United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees to protect and assist refugees.” The World Food Programme has a mandate to provide
emergency food relief, while the Red Cross Red Crescent operations provide things like clean water, basic sanitation, health services,
temporary shelter, and food. Psychological support is also offered for traumatized displaced people. (“Complex/manmade Hazards: Dis-
placed Populations”)
Emergency shelter is created with the purpose of offering many people shelter, and doing so in a rapid manner. Quick shelter
solutions include: tents and shelter kits, materials to build or repair homes, or temporary accommodation in public buildings or with host
families. The type of aid provided depends largely on the situation. Some locations where emergency shelter is required have extreme
temperatures or weather conditions. (“What We do in Shelter”)

The image to the left shows a Family Tent, supplied

by the Red Cross. The tent was designed by Red Cross in
collaboration with the United Nations High Commissioner
for Refugees. The tent is a ridge tent with elevated walls
and a total of 23 square meters of floor area. The outer tent
is supported by “3 upright poles, 1 ridge pipe, 6 side poles,
4 door poles, 3 guy ropes on each side and 2 guy ropes at
each end” to ensure stability. The entire tent and its acces-
sories are packed to ensure that “the ground sheet protects
(Fig. 7)
the tent and accessories, and the that metal poles and pegs do not pierce the bag.” Assembly instructions are included with each pack-
age, and it is similar to a commercial camping tent. This tent can withstand wids of 75 mph, and it is able to be used in all climates.
(“Family Tent, 16m2”)
While the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies is the largest supplier of temporary shelter, there
are many other organizations and companies that help provide temporary shelter solutions. Recently, IKEA has produced thousands
of “flat pack temporary shelters” (see Fig. 8) to give to refugees displaced by conflict or natural disaster. IKEA and the United Nations
Refugee Agency coordinated to disttribute the shelters globally. Some shelters are built to withstand the world’s harshest environments.
WeatherPort Basecamp Structer accomplishes this with their tents (Figure 9) made with a tough engineered fabric structure. These
provide shelter for military, medical, and expedition groups around the world. Also among deisgns for emergency shelter are inflatable
tents, “the modern yurk” (a nomadic yurt shelter designed by Scottish company Trakke), and “the life cube”. The life cube is a “shipping
container that transforms into a hard-surface, raised flooring platform. Unfolding the container reveals a military-spec inflatable shelter
with self-contained power system and inflator. The full unit can be deployed by just one or two persons in 10 minutes.” (Meta) Innovative
designs continue to be produced to help with the problem of displacement.
27
 (Fig. 8)
Cots in Gymnasium

The Modern Yurk

(Fig. 9)

28
The Lantern Tent
A simple, lightweight emergency shelter
inspired by Nepalase Culture
Designed by Shelby Johnson; INTA312 Global Design; W3A2; Professor Matthew Swiertz; 11 March 2017

The lantern tent, inspired by Nepalese architecture and decorative lanterns, has a struc- The lantern tent is made with a breathable canvas material, perfect for a hot climate. A
ture much like a regular paper lantern, but large-scale and durable. reflective roof with a slight slope keeps out rain and does not trap heat. A zipper door
allows entry. This tent can be available in multiple sizes to sleep either 4, 6, or 8 people.

The tent can fold into a square

only 3’-6”. It is lightweight and
simple to manufacture, making
it a practical choice for shelter- Each flexible rod locks into a
ing a large amount of people. heavy duty peg that bolts the
tent to the ground from the
tent’s interior.
The tent folds out to be flat. To raise the tent, all that is needed is
4 flexible rods (a tough, rubber-like, shock absorbant material to
provide shelter and safety in the event of an aftershock
earthquake).

Inside the tent, a small grid hangs at the top beneath the sloped roof. This
allows room configurations with hangeable tarps. Mosquito net guards the A bird’s-eye view of a 4-person sleeping arrangement. The Lantern Tent is
top opening and zipper-close windows from bugs, while allowing airflow. A spacious, with a tall roof and pushed-out sides.
waterproof tarp floor protects from rain and provides easy clean-up.

29
Figures Cited
Fig. 1: “Financial Aid for Colorado High Park and Waldo Canyon Wildfires.” FEMA. Web. 7 March 2017.
< https://www.fema.gov/disaster/4067>
Fig. 2: Keystoneridin. “Waldo Canyon Fires”. Wildfire today. Web. 7 March 2017.
< http://wildfiretoday.com/tag/waldo-canyon-fire/>
Fig. 3: “Colorado fire, Waldo Canyon.” LA Times. Web. 7 March 2017.
< http://www.latimes.com/nation/la-na-colorado-springs-waldo-canyon-fire-pictures-photogallery.html>
Fig. 4: “Powerful Earthquake Hits Nepal.” CNN. Web. 7 March 2017.
< http://www.cnn.com/2015/04/29/asia/nepal-earthquake/>
Fig. 5: “Nepal Shelters”. Gestalt in Nepal. Web. 6 March 2017.
< http://www.gestaltinnepal.com/uncategorized/shelters-for-nepal/>
Fig. 6: “Nepal Struggles”. Aljazeera. Web. 6 March 2017.
< http://www.gestaltinnepal.com/uncategorized/shelters-for-nepal/>
Fig. 7: “Family Tent.” IFRC. Web. 7 March 2017.
< http://www.ifrc.org/PageFiles/95186/208600-Shelter%20instruction%20flyer-EN-HR.pdf>
Fig. 8: “IKEA Flat Pack Shelter”. Design4Disaster. Web. March 7 2017.
< http://www.design4disaster.org/category/projects-of-disaster/temporary-shelter/>
Fig 9: “WeatherPort”. Design4Disaster. Web. 7 March 2017.
< http://www.design4disaster.org/2016/04/14/base-camp-shelters/>

30
Work Cited
Branum, Don. “Front Range bases assist with displacement vouchers”. US Airforce Academy. 10 July 2012. Web. 7 March
2017.
< http://www.usafa.af.mil/News/ArticleDisplay/tabid/1487/Article/428531/front-range-bases-assist-with-displacement-
vouchers.aspx>
“Complex/manmade Hazards: Displaced Populations”. IFRC. Web. 7 March 2017.
< http://www.ifrc.org/en/what-we-do/disaster-management/about-disasters/definition-of-hazard/displaced-popula
tions/>
Kumar, Sindhupalchok. “Why Nepal is Still in Rubble a Year After a Devastating Earthquake.” 24 April 2016. Web. 7 March
2017.
< http://time.com/4305225/nepal-earthquake-anniversary-disaster/>
“Family Tent, 16m2”. IFRC. Web. 7 March 2017.
< http://www.ifrc.org/PageFiles/95186/208600-Shelter%20instruction%20flyer-EN-HR.pdf>
“Global Displacements”. International Displacement Monitoring. Web. 7 Mach 2017.
< http://www.internal-displacement.org/publications/2015/global-estimates-2015-people-displaced-by-disasters/>
Olinger, David. “Waldo Canyon Fire Tolls $110 million for lost homes.” The Denver Post. 3 July 2012. Web. 6 March 2017.
< http://www.denverpost.com/2012/07/03/waldo-canyon-fire-toll-hits-110-million-for-lost-homes-in-colorado-wildfire/>
“Nepal Earthquake of 2015”. Encyclopedia Britannica. Web. 7 March 2017.
< https://www.britannica.com/topic/Nepal-earthquake-of-2015>
NORAD and USNORTHCOM Public Affairs. “Federal Partners Continue to Support Response Efforts...” US Northern
Command. 09 July 2012. Web. 7 March 2017.
< http://www.northcom.mil/Newsroom/Article/563679/federal-partners-continue-to-support-response-efforts-combat
ing-western-wildfir/>
Lee, Kurtis. “Waldo Canyon Fire Forces Many from their Homes.” Denver Post. 24 June 2012. Web. 7 March 2017.
< http://www.denverpost.com/2012/06/24/waldo-canyon-fire-forces-11000-people-from-their-homes/>
Meta, Agim. “Base Camp Shelters”. Design4Disaster. 14 April 2016. Web. 7 March 2017.
< http://www.design4disaster.org/category/projects-of-disaster/temporary-shelter/>
Stauffer, Ron. “Rebuilding Progress after the Waldo Canyon Fire.” Stauffer and Sons. 3 October 2014. Web. 7 March 2017.
< https://www.staufferandsons.com/blog/rebuilding-progress-waldo-canyon-fire/>
“What We Do in Shelter”. IFRC. Web. 7 March 2017.
< http://www.ifrc.org/en/what-we-do/disaster-management/responding/services-for-the-disaster-affected/shel
ter-and-settlement/what-we-do-in-shelter/>

31
Poverty Research and Essay
Shelby Johnson
INTA312
Global Design
Professor Matthew Swiertz
Week 4 Assignment 1
March 14 2017

32
Poverty in rural Haiti
In Haiti, 77% of people live below the poverty line. It is the poorest country in the western hemisphere. (“Haiti”) According to the World
Bank, Haiti’s poverty rate is due to factors such as poor access to credit, lack of infrastructure, low educational levels and limited social
capital. In rural areas, home to 52% of Haiti’s population, 88% of people live in poverty. Rural people have a third of the income compared
to people living in urban areas. There is a massive gap between the rich and the poor. The poorest 40%of the population have less than 6 per
cent of the country’s income, and the richest 2% of Haiti’s people have 26% of national wealth. Most of the rural population has extreme-
ly limited access to things like electricity and clean drinking water. Agriculture is important in the economy, but Haiti does not produce
enough food, crops, and livestock to feed its people. “The country has to import 60 per cent of the food it needs, including as much as 80
per cent of the rice it consumes.” The country is also prone to natural disasters like hurricanes, earthquakes, and floods. “In 2008 climatic
disasters caused losses and damage worth US$200 million to the agricultural sector and resulted in food insecurity that affects an estimated
3 million people, one third of the population”. And there was a devastating earthquake in 2010 that flattened major cities. (“Rural poverty in
Haiti”) Religion is extremely important in the Haitian culture. In fact, church organizations are the “primary form of social infrustructure”.
Religion brings strength, identity, and meaning to the people in difficult times. (“Hope for Haiti”) Haiti has a tropical, semiarid climate.
Tropical storms are common. (Crawford-Adiletta) Haiti’s topography includes peninsula’s, three mountain ranges, and some once-fertile
plains. (“Haiti-Topography”) Haiti is known for its “gingerbread houses”. These are large ornate buildings that resemble houses of Victori-
an-era England. While many were destroyed in recent natural disasters, revival efforts are slowly rebuilding in the same style.

(Fig 1) (Fig 2) (Fig 3)

33
Poverty in California, United States
The California Poverty Measure (CPM) measures poverty by accounting for cost of living and a range of family needs and resources while
including social benefits. “According to the CPM, 20.6% of Californians lacked enough resources—about $30,000 per year for a family of
four, more than $6,000 higher than the official poverty line—to meet basic needs in 2014, a somewhat smaller share than in 2013 (21.2%).
Poverty was highest among children (23.1%) and lower among older adults (18.7%) and adults age 18–64 (20.1%).” Poverty rates are higher
for minorities, which suggests the issue of discrimination. The rate is higher also for people without college degrees. (“Poverty in California”)
The factors that contribute to California’s poverty are: the cost of living, labor force participation, and demographics. The lack of affordable
housing is a large contributing issue. It is not uncommon for large families to share a small apartment in California. Some areas in California
are much more impoverished than others. Figure 4 is an image of homeless people in Skid Row, Los Angeles. Skid Row is a 54-block area of
downtown LA known for its overwhelming amount of homeless people. (“About Skid Row”) While proper hygiene and sanitation is lower
in these areas, access to basic needs is better when compared to places like rural Haiti. The topography of California is largely seacoast, high
mountains, and deserts. (“Topography”) California’s climate includes long, dry summers with low humidity and cool nights, and a mild,
rainy winter (except in the high mountains, where four seasons prevail and snow lasts from November to April). A summer drought is very
common. (“Climate”) California is a very developed state, with eye catching modern architecture. Figure 5 is the Disney Coorporation Head-
quarters, designed by Michael Graves. Midcentury Modern styles are popular, and an in-ground pool is typical.

(Fig 4) (Fig 5) (Fig 6)

34
Poverty in Chiapas, Mexico
Chiapas is the poorest state in Mexico, with a staggering poverty rate of 76.2% as of 2015. Most residents of Chiapas barely get by with an in-
formal family business or through seasonal farming. (“Mexico”) Major socioeconomic issues present in this region are illiteracy, unemploy-
ment, and low access to a quality education. Social programs have provided Chiapas with nearly $60 billion USD in the last 24 years, but the
programs have proved ineffective, as Chiapas is in even worse shape than before. (“US $60 billion later...”) The poverty rate is due to several
reasons: An increased demand for farmland arising from high human fertility and an influx of migrants, an inequitable distribution of land
resources, as well as economic liberalization. Liberalization “reduced the governing regime’s capacity in Chiapas and provided greater oppor-
tunities for violent challenges by opposition groups.” (Howard and Homer-Dixon) Clean drinking water is limited in Chiapas, and the need
for more water-treatment systems is great. Sanitation is also an issue, and litter is piled everywhere (see Figure 7). The climate in Chiapas is
hot. The north is dry with little rain, and the south is more humid. Temperatures are fairly constant year round, with variation depending on
elevation. The north is dry with little rainfall, but the southern part of the state is more humid. Chiapas has coastal plains along the Pacific
Ocean to the south. “In the north, the coastal plain that begins in Tabasco extends into Chiapas. The Sierra Madre is a chain of high moun-
tains that run from the northwest to the southeast. The highest peak is the Tacaná volcano (4,093 meters/13,428 feet in elevation), which lies
on the border with Guatemala.” The Grijalva River flows northwest through the state as well. A high plateau lies in the center of Chiapas.
(“Chiapas”)

(Fig 7) (Fig 9)
(Fig 8)

35
Chiapas, Mexico: Culture, Poverty, and Designing a Community Center

Chiapas is a unique state in Mexico. While much of Mexico had witnessed the assimilation, cultural destruction, and exploitation of
their indigenous groups, Chiapas’ ethnic groups have maintained most of their ancient culture. (Schmal) The Chiapas culture is diverse,
and many elements of the culture are derived from the Mayans. The ethnic groups currently present in the state are the Tzotzils and Tzel-
tals in the center of the state, Chujes, Choles and Zoques in North, Tojolabalas in Southeast, Mames, Cakchiquels and Mochos South of
the state (and also part of Guatemala) and Lacandons in the Eastern rain forest. All of these groups besides the Zoques speak languages
derived from Maya. The beliefs of the people of Chiapas vary only slightly from group to group. In general, most believe that every human
being has a “spirit animal”, an animal double of the person that shares the person’s destiny. It could be an eagle, or a bear, for example.
Ancestor worship is another common belief, as are legends about super natural beings, demons, and spirit animals. The Choles people
“take care of certain sacred caves, as they believe that they are homes of spirits, which control rain, wind, storms and other natural phe-
nomena.” Lacandons worship old man Nojoch-yum-chac, god of rain. (“People and Tradition”) Although Chiapas was able to maintain their
old traditions, the state faced poverty beginning back during the Spanish colonial period. While other Mexican states flourished during
this time (because of their mineral wealth or agricultural resources), Chiapas was without mineral resources, and the state faced poverty.
(Schmal) Still, Chiapas is home to some impressive architectural gems.
Located in the forests of Chiapas are some impres-
sive Mayan ruins (Fig. 10). Chiapa de Corzo, an ancient
Mayan settlement, draws tourists from around the world.
Figure 9 shows the Cathedral in San Cristobal. It was built
during the 16th/17th centuries and restored in the 1920s.
“The mustard yellow and white facade blends Baroque,
Moorish and indigenous influences. Step inside the Cathe-
dral to find gilded altarpieces and 18th century paintings by
Miguel Cabrera.” (“Colonial Charmer in San Cristobal”)
(Fig. 10)
While many can appreciate the historic architecture, Chiapas’ homes are not so
glamorous for most residents. Figure 11 shows typical homes for the impoverished. They
are built with whatever materials are available- wood, stone, tin sheets, etc. The people
of Chiapas could certainly benefit from a well designed urban community center. This
building’s design would be impacted by the location and culture of Chiapas in several
ways. The building’s design would fit the hot climate of Chiapas, with a strategic orienta-
tion with the sun, provided shade, and perhaps a white metal roof with overhangs to keep
the building cool. The culture of Chiapas would be the inspiration for the building’s style
and decor, taking elements of both Spanish and Mayan design. The services and spaces
of the community center would be tailored to the needs of the community. A free health
clinic would be a much needed community resource. The clinic could also specialize in
36
(Fig. 11) women’s health, teaching young women hygiene and self care. A community cafeteria or
soup kitchen could help struggling, hungry families in the community. It could provide better nutrition, which would improve the health of
people in the community. A recreation center, with clubs for different young age groups could build structure for children in difficult sitaua-
tions, and help to establish healthy friendships. Finally, business training and special services (perhaps services that can offer fair loans)
can help adults start small businneses, a much needed resource in Chiapas. This community center would empower and improve the lives
of people in Chiapas.

37
 Community Center
of Tuxtla Gutiérrez, Chiapas, Mexico
Designed by Shelby Johnson; INTA312 Global Design; W4A2; Professor Matthew Swiertz; 18 March 2017

1st Floor Preliminary Plan

The community center will include a food co-op. Members
of the community will take turns working shifts here. In ex-
change, these members can get a set amount of groceries
free of cost.
The first floor will include a free clinic (as proper health-
care is limited in the area), a grocery co-op, a teen center
with counseling and tutoring services, business training of-
fices, a soup kitchen, and a reservable multipurpose space.

A partially enclosed rooftop event space with natural stone 2nd Floor Preliminary Plan
flooring will be used for community celebrations, The second floor will be a rooftop terrace with a communi-
weddings, worship, and other events. ty vegetable and herb garden. A beautiful partially enclosed
event space will overlook the garden.

Indigenous plants of Mexico, such as the

Agave plant, will be used to decorate
the center. The design for the community center will be inspired by the stacked forms and stone ma-
terials of ancient Mayan ruins. The Mayan civilizations are a key element of Chiapas’
history.
38
Figures Cited
Fig. 1: “Haiti house”. National Geographics. Web. 14 March 2017.
< http://images.nationalgeographic.com/wpf/media-live/photos/000/421/cache/monument-watch-list-2012-ginger
bread-houses-haiti_42107_600x450.jpg>
Fig. 2: Wilentz, Amy. “Gingerbread house, Haiti.” Web. 14 March 2017.
< http://amywilentz.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/274_51-1.jpg>
Fig. 3: “Poverty in Haiti.” Flickr. Web. 14 March 2017.
< https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8063/8170375795_5bd4c78c31_z.jpg>
Fig 4: “Skid Row”. Web. 14 March 2017.
< http://blog.sfgate.com/stew/files/2014/10/Was8868895.jpg>
Fig. 5: “Michael Graves Designed Disney Corporation Headquarters in Burbank, California.” Web. 14 March 2017.
< https://www.thoughtco.com/architecture-in-california-178486>
Fig. 6: “Midcentury Modern.” Web. 14 March 2017.
< https://www.thoughtco.com/midcentury-modern-architecture-in-palm-springs-178492>
Fig 7: “Chiapas Poverty.” Photoshelter. Web. 14 March 2017.
< http://cdn.c.photoshelter.com/img-get2/I00001DLbjTeEw6c/fit=1000x750/Mexico5032.jpg>
Fig. 8: “Chiapas Sumidero Canyon.” Imgur. Web. 15 March 2017.
<http://imgur.com/w84gMlI>
Fig. 9: “San Cristobal De Las Casas Mexico”. Luxurious Mexico. Web. 15 March 2017.
< http://www.luxuriousmexico.com/wwwluxuriousmexico/Luxurious%20Mexico/PicsChiapas/Chiapas,%20San%20
Cristobal%20de%20las%20Casas,%20Cathedral%20-%20Photo%20by%20Secretaria%20de%20Turismo%20de%20
Chiapas.jpg>
Fig 10: “Mayan Ruins”. National Geographics. Web. 15 March 2017.
< http://images.nationalgeographic.com/wpf/media-live/photos/000/247/cache/palenque-temple_24745_600x450.jpg>
Fig. 11: Mexico News Daily. Web. 15 March 2017.
< http://mexiconewsdaily.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/poverty-600x404.jpg>

39
Work Cited
“About Skid Row”. Union Rescue Mission. Web. 14 March 2017.
< http://urm.org/about/faqs/about-skid-row/>
“Climate”. City-data. Web. 14 March 2017.
< http://www.city-data.com/states/California-Climate.html>
“Chiapas.” Nations Encyclopedia. Web. 14 March 2017.
< http://www.nationsencyclopedia.com/mexico/Aguascalientes-M-xico/Chiapas.html>
“Colonial Charmer in San Cristobal”. Mexico. Web. 15 March 2017.
< http://www.visitmexico.com/en/architecture-in-san-cristobal-de-las-casas>
Crawford-Adiletta. “Weather and Climate in Haiti.” USA Today. Web. 14 March 2017.
< http://traveltips.usatoday.com/weather-climate-haiti-12394.html>
“Haiti”. Global Issues. Web. 14 March 2017.
< http://www.globalissues.org/article/141/haiti>
“Haiti- Topography.” National Encyclopedia. Web. 14 March 2017.
< http://www.nationsencyclopedia.com/Americas/Haiti-TOPOGRAPHY.html>
“Rural poverty in Haiti”. Rural Poverty Portal. Web. 14 March 2017.
< https://www.ruralpovertyportal.org/country/home/tags/haiti>
“Hope for Haiti”. University of North Carolina. 2010. Web. 14 March 2017.
< http://www.cpc.unc.edu/news/features/hope-for-haiti>
Howard and Homer-Dixon. “Environmental Scarcity and Violent Conflict: The Case of Chiapas, Mexico.” Web.
14 March 2017.
< http://www.homerdixon.com/projects/eps/chiapas/chiapas1.htm>
“Mexico.” End Poverty. Web. 14 March 2017.
<http://endpoverty.org/mexico/>
“People and Tradition”. Mexico. Web. 15 March 2017.
< http://www.caroun.com/countries/america/mexico/chiapas/04-people&tradition-chiapas.html>
“Poverty in California”. Public Policy Institute of California. Web. 14 March 2017.
< http://www.ppic.org/main/publication_show.asp?i=261>
Schmal, John P. “Chiapas- Forever Indigenous.” Houston Intitute for Culture. Web. 15 March 2017.
< http://www.houstonculture.org/mexico/chiapas.html>
“Topography.” City-data. Web. 14 March 2017.
< http://www.city-data.com/states/California-Topography.html>
“US $60 billion later”. Mexico News Daily. 1 April 2016. Web 14 March 2016.
< http://mexiconewsdaily.com/news/chiapas-poverty/>

40
Gender Inequality
Shelby Johnson
INTA312
Global Design
Professor Matthew Swiertz
Week 5 Assignment 1
March 22 2017

41
Gender Inequality in India
What are the religious or cultural issues that affect women in that region?
India has a record for being one of the most unequal societies concerning gender. In fact, “the United Nations Development Programme
recently ranked India 132 out of 137 countries for gender inequality – the worst performing Asian country, excluding Afghanistan.” (Sell)
The unequal treatment begins at birth, when a baby boy recieves a big celebration but a baby girl recieves a muted celebration, if any cel-
ebration at all. The Indian culture is a male-dominant patriarchy, and women are often treated as possessions. As per Hindu law: “Women
are supposed to be in the custody of their father when they are children, they must be under the custody of their husband when married
and under the custody of her son in old age or as widows. In no circumstances she should be allowed to assert herself independently”.
(Sell) This concept leads to arranged marriages, lack of education, subordinate (and even cruel) treatment, unequal pay, and much more.

What is the climate and topography like in that region?

India has a variety of topographical features. It is surrounded by mountains, oceans, hills, and forests. The Himalayas, the Ganges Plain,
the Great Indian Desert, and the peninsula that extends into the Indian Ocean are major features of India.The Eastern part of India re-
ceives some of the highest rainfall in the world during the monsoon season that is June to October.
Indian weather is mostly tropical, but has unpredictable weather and is prone to monsoons. The subcontinent has eight climatic zones.
“The unpredictable nature of climate can be seen when you travel from the cold brittle air of the mountains to the burning dry heat of the
Deserts where summer temperature regularly reach 45°C and beyond.” (“Geography and Climate of India”)

Is there a common vernacular architectural style or materials for the region?

India’s architecture is characterized by its ornate dome peaks and stone materials. Exterior colors
are usually warm shades of red, orange, yellow, or tan. Pointed arches and pillars are also common
elements.

Does the region have access to clean drinking water and sanitation?
Sanitation and clean water are lacking in India. It is reported that 77 million people lack access to safe
drinking water and 769 million lack access to proper sanitation. (“India’s Water Crisis”) These issues
afflict women, especially young women beginning menstration. “40 percent of schools in India still lack
a functional common toilet. A further 40 percent lack separate toilet facilities for girls.” Becuase of this,
girls miss school each month and face humiliation and cruel treatment. They are often lead to believe
that they are “unclean”. (Sell) (Fig. 1)
What are the prominent gender-related issues of that region? For example, are there violence, access to food, shelter, education,
or healthcare issues?
The main gender-related issues are poverty and lack of education, which forces countless women to work in low-paying domestic service,
organized prostitution, or as migrant laborers. Women recieve unequal pay for more work. Educating girls is seen as “a bad investment
because she is bound to get married and leave her paternal home one day.” Another disturbing aspect of inequality occurs during fami-
ly meals. The male child recieves the nutritious and better foods while the girl child gets whatever is left behind, which can cause major
health issues later in life. (Sell) 42
Gender Inequality in Afghanistan
What are the religious or cultural issues that affect women in that region?
The Afghan culture has produced one of the largest gender gaps in the world, ranking 134th on the Gender Inequality Index (HDR, 2010).
Women are so severely oppressed, and the unfair treatment is “justified in the given socio-cultural norms practiced within the society”.
Women accept this oppression becuase of how deeply this attitude of subordination is rooted in the Afghan culture. Domestic violence is
one of the most severe issues affecting women. A survey conducted by the Afghanistan Central Statistics Organization and UNICEF given
to a number of Afghan women revealed disturbing results. The survey questioned the Afghan women if their husband was justified in beat-
ing them given the following scenarios: “if the wife goes out without telling him, if she neglects the children, if she argues with him, if she
refuses sex with him, if she burns the food, and if she wears inappropriate clothes.” The results gave an average of 92 % “yes” response
by the Afghan women. (Khawary)

What is the climate and topography like in that region?

The Hindu Kush Mountains run west across Afghanistan. Afghanistan’s highest peak is Noshaq at 7,492 meters high. “Afghanistan is land-
locked, with long and porous borders to Pakistan and Iran, where the distance between border posts make border control a difficult task.”
Afghanistan has a arid and semiarid steppe with hot summers and cold winters (even colder in the mountain region). The lower parts of
the country have a semi-arid / desert climate with strong winds. (“Geography and Climate”)

Is there a common vernacular architectural style or materials for the region?

Afghanistan contains a variety of architectural influences, including Greek and Buddhist shrines or
reliquaries, monasteries, arches, “monuments, intricate Islamic minarets (the tall, slender towers on
mosques), temples and forts”. Light blue or green fired tile work is a common and beautiful sight in
Afghanistan. Unfortunately, Afghanistan is a underdeveloped, war-torn country, so many people live in
poverty.

Does the region have access to clean drinking water and sanitation?
Most Afghans don’t have access to safe drinking water. Waterborne diseases are very common, caus-
ing diarrhea and dysentery, especially among children. Cholera is also common because of unclean
drinking water. (Babur) Afghanistan has poor sanitation levels as well, an issue that UNICEF has pro-
vided some help with, by building latrines and wells in Afghanistan. (Fig. 2)

What are the prominent gender-related issues of that region? For example, are there violence, access to food, shelter, education,
or healthcare issues?
The main gender issues are violence and education. Afghanistan has the highest rate of violence towards women, as men believe it is
their responsibility to beat their wives. Women are often raped and even killed by men. Women are not allowed to work side by side next
to men. Over 50% of girls are married before legal age. During the Taliban regime, women were stoned to death, shot in head, and “beat-
en in public for wearing “Un-Islamic” dress or showing off any part of their body such as hands and feet.” Women are not allowed to get
an education. They are considered a “sex tool or bearing machine” created only to serve a man. There is little to no legal implications or
investigations of women’s death or assault cases. (“Gender Inequality in Afghanistan”) 43
Gender Inequality in Egypt
What are the religious or cultural issues that affect women in that region?
Egypt ranks moderately high in gender inequality. The Egyptian culture favors boys, and the unfair treatment begins at a young age when
boys are sent to school but many girls must stay home to help their mothers with things like house work. (Molloy) Many gender inequality
issues in Egypt have improved in the past ten years, such as women’s healthcare and investment in education, but the prevalent issue at
hand is the lack of economic opportunity for women. This is caused by the cultural characteristic that women should have a lesser voice
than men in the home and society. (Gunn)

What is the climate and topography like in that region

Egypt’s land could be divided into two categories: the ‘black land’ and the ‘red land’. The ‘black land’ was “the fertile land on the banks of
the Nile.” The ‘red land’ was the barren desert that surrounded Egypt on two sides. “These deserts separated ancient Egypt from neigh-
bouring countries and invading armies. They also provided the ancient Egyptians with a source for precious metals and semi-precious
stones.” Egypt has a hot desert climate with mild winters and hot summers.There is little rainfall, and it is mostly along the coast. (“Geogra-
phy”)
Is there a common vernacular architectural style or materials for the region?
Ancient Egyptians built incredible pyramids, tombs, temples, and palaces out of stone. And while
earthquakes and wars have destroyed much of the ancient architecture, much of Egypt’s impressive
architecture remains.”Egyptian buildings were decorated with paintings, carved stone images, hiero-
glyphs and three-dimensional statues. The art tells the story of the pharaohs, the gods, the common
people and the natural world of plants, birds and animals.” (“Architecture”)

Does the region have access to clean drinking water and sanitation?
Egypt struggles with water shortages. The causes of the shortage are uneven water distribution,
misuse of water resources, and inefficient irrigation techniques. “Egypt has only 20 cubic meters per
person of internal renewable freshwater resources.” The country relies heavily on the Nile River for
its main source of water, but the river is often polluted. One source of pollution is domestic sewage,
becuase proper sanitation is also lacking in Egypt. (“wastewater and sanitation essential for egypt...”) (Fig. 2)
What are the prominent gender-related issues of that region? For example, are there violence, access to food, shelter, education,
or healthcare issues?
“Despite this obstacle when young, women in Egypt end up passing their male counterparts by the time they get to post-graduate educa-
tion. Al-Adly said according to NCW numbers, 65 per cent of master’s and doctoral students in Egypt are women.” More is now being in-
vested in women’s healthcare, so this is no longer is big issue either. (Molloy) The biggest problem is disrimination in the workplace. “Men
comprised three-quarters of the Egyptian workforce and had an unemployment rate of 4.6 per cent. The rate for women was almost five
times higher, at 22.6 per cent” (Gunn) While it is still typical for women to stay home and raise children (which there is nothing wrong with),
many women who attempt to join the workforce recieve far lower wages than men. For single women and single mothers, it is difficult to
make end’s meat.
44
Essay: Designing a Women and Children’s Shelter in Afghanistan
Afghanistan is in need of more shelters for women and children. There are currently less than 2 dozen of these shelters, and most
are located in the capital city of Kabul. This is because Afghan laws that protect women are more easily enforced in the capital city.
(Women’s Voices Now) The existing shelters are supported by organizations like The United Nations International Children’s Emergency
Fund (UNICEF) and Voices of Women Organization (VWO). Almost half of the women in these shelters are under age 18. Many of these
young women were married as young as age 9, and fled from an abusive older husband. (Crowe) Kunduz, Afghanistan would be a good
choice for a new women and children’s shelter. This is the capital of the Kunduz Province in Northern Afghanistan, with a population of
268,893 (as of 2012). Kunduz has a bloody history as it was once a “major stronghold of the Taliban and a training site for some elements
of al-Qaeda.” It has since been retaken and secured by Afghan forces. (“Afghanistan: Scores of Taliban dead...”) Since this is a capital
city, it will be safer for women and children under protective laws. Domestic violence and unfair dispicable treatment of women runs
rampant in Kunduz, as it does in much of Afghanistan. The culture, architecture, and location of Kunduz will impact the shelter’s design.
Kunduz (also called Kunduz, Kundûz, Qonduz, Qonduz) has a
subarctic mountain climate with dry and cold winters (“Geography and
Climate”). The design for the shelter should have a dark sloped roof and an
efficient heating system to save energy costs. The design aesthetics will be
inspired by the beautiful towers throughout Afghanistan, but with a modern
appeal. It will have economical cement construction, white walls, point-
ed arched doorways, and eye-catching turquiose tile. Security and safety
will be a top priority in the design. A security fence, entry vestibule, tinted
windows, and security system will be included in the design. One example
of a shelter design in Afghanistan, The Afghan Women Skills Development
Centre (AWSDC) shelter in Kabul, has spaces for food preparation, laundry,
regular Quran lessons, and sleep. This shelter also have a beauty salon,
where women may visit once per week to recieve special treatment. This
is a wonderful service that can help women improve their self-esteem and
make them feel beautiful. While this shelter provides safety and security for
women, it is said that life there is quite boring. (van Uitert) Perhaps addition-
(Fig. 3)
al recreational activities and educational courses would be a good addition to a new shelter design.
The spaces and services that should be included in the new shelter design are: basic sleeping units, a cafeteria, laundry facility,
worship area (tailored to Islamic worship, as is tradition in Afghanistan), a recreational lounge, a classroom, a childcare space, a small
health clinic (tailored to women’s health, and offering services to instruct women about their health), a beauty salon (similarly to the case
study) and counseling services to help women recover from the tolls of abuse and begin to heal. This shelter will be a wonderful asset to
Kanduz, offering afflicted women and children safety and care while encouraging independence and self-respect.

45
 Sloped Roof and Tinted Windows
Decorative + Structural White Pillars

Non-slip Blue Porcelain Tile Floor Pointed Arched Doors 46

 Women and Children’s Shelter
Kunduz, Afghanistan
Designed by Shelby Johnson; INTA312 Global Design; W5A2; Professor Matthew Swiertz; 24 March 2017

1st Floor Space Plan

The shelter will include a classroom with scheduled lessons and train-
ings. The goal is to help women gain knowledge and skills to become
self-sufficient. Many interior spaces will be finished with beautiful blue
tile and soft white walls, inspired by architectural gems of the Middle
East.
The first floor will include common spaces for the resi-
dents. An entry vestibule and security system will improve
safety.

2nd Floor Space Plan

The second floor will include simple sleeping units, com-
munity bathrooms and showers, and a childcare area.
Afghanistan has a terrible amount of domestic violence. Counseling
services will help women to heal while learning about self-worth and
healthy relationships.

While many shelters in Afghanistan are con-

sidered “boring”, this shelter will have spe-
cial recreational features. A children’s play
area with educational toys will help kids build
friendships and enjoy the day. An adult recre-
ational area with scheduled activities can en-
courage women bond and relax. A salon will
offer services to help women feel beautiful
and improve self esteem.

The shelter will have a modern appeal. Concrete construction and tinted privacy windows
will create a nice contrast. A gated security system will make residents feel safe and will
add safety for children playing outdoors.
47
Figures Cited
Fig. 1: Belure Math. Web. 21 March 2017.
< http://www.belurmath.org/symphony_in_architecture_ramakrishna_temple/images/belurmath3.jpg>
Fig. 2: Dari Post. Web. 21 March 2017.
<http://www.daripost.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/Herat-Architecture-Afghanistan.jpg>
Fig. 3: Afghanistan Now. Web. 22 March 2017.
< https://afghanistannow.files.wordpress.com/2011/02/afghan2b-071106e3.jpg>

48
Work Cited
“Afghanistan: Scores of Taliban dead in Kunduz attack.” Aljazeera. April 2016. Web. 22 March 2017.
< http://www.aljazeera.com/news/2016/04/taliban-fighters-launch-attack-afghanistan-kunduz-160415133525370.html>
“Architecture”. Mysteries of Egypt. Web. 21 March 2017.
< http://www.historymuseum.ca/cmc/exhibitions/civil/egypt/egca01e.shtml
Babur, Humayoon.”Many Afghans Lack Access to Clean Water.” Mintpress News. 23 September 2014.
< http://www.mintpressnews.com/MyMPN/afghans-lack-access-clean-water/>
Crowe, Sarah. “Shelters for women and girls in Afghanistan.” UNICEF. Web. 21 March 2017.
< https://www.unicef.org/protection/afghanistan_57901.html>
“Gender Inequality in Afghanistan”. Daily Outlook. 18 August 2011. Web. 21 March 2017.
< http://outlookafghanistan.net/editorialdetail.php?post_id=1580>
“Geography.” Geography, Web. 21 March 2017.
< http://www.ancientegypt.co.uk/geography/home.html>
“Geography and Climate”. Norwegian Afghanistan Committee. Web. 21 March 2017.
< http://www.afghanistan.no/English/Afghanistan/Geography_and_climate/index.html>
“Geography and Climate of India.” Magical India Tours. Web. 21 March 2017.
< http://www.magicalindiatours.com/geography.html>
Gunn, Michael. “Egypt, Middle East gender gap is hampering economic growth.” AhramOnline. 19 September 2011. Web.
21 March 2017
< http://english.ahram.org.eg/NewsContent/3/12/21654/Business/Economy/Egypt,-Middle-East-gender-gap-is-hampering-
economi.aspx>
“India’s Water Crisis”. Water.org. Web. 21 March 2017.
< http://water.org/country/india/>
Khawary, Omid. “Gender inequality persists in Afghanistan.” The Afghanistan Xpress. 28 January 2013. Web. 21 March 2017.
< http://theafghanistanexpress.com/gender-inequality-persists-in-afghanistan/>
Molloy, Connor. “Egypt Scores Low in Gender Equality.” Daily News Egypt. 6 November 2012. Web.
< http://www.dailynewsegypt.com/2012/11/06/egpyt-scores-low-in-gender-equality/>
Sell, Susie. “The unsanitary truth about gender inequality in India.” The Guardian. 10 June 2013. Web. 21 March 2017.
< http://www.indiacelebrating.com/social-issues/gender-inequality-in-india/>
“wastewater and sanitation essential for egypt’s water security.” WAstewater and Sanitation Egypt. Web. 21 March 2017.
< http://www.wastewatersanitationegypt.com>
Women’s Voices Now. “Homes of Refuge: Women’s Shelters in Afghanistan.” Aquila Style. 18 March 2015. Web. 21 March 2017.
< http://www.aquila-style.com/focus-points/homes-of-refuge-womens-shelters-in-afghanistan/96202/>
van Uitert, Marielle. “Afghan shelter provides security for abused women.” Aljazeera, Web. 22 March 2017.
< http://www.aljazeera.com/indepth/inpictures/2015/07/afghan-shelter-security-abused-women-150721112404787.
html>
49
Reflection Essay
My time in Global Design course has allowed me to learn about various global issues and how I can make a
positive impact with design. I learned about designing for various religions, and for people in need of help becuase of displace-
ment, war, poverty, natural disaster, or gender inequality problems. I was able to research the causes and effects of these
issues and demonstrate my design ideas into conceptual designs that could improve the lives of people.
I was moved by the issues that I have learned about in this course. It is difficult to imagine the severe hardships that
many people endure when they are forced from their home or simply have no home. I think I could make a positive impact as a
designer by providing interior spaces that satisfy important needs of the user, whether it be safe shelter after a natural disaster,
or a facility offering services for women to recover after abuse and discrimination. I was most impacted by the issue of gender
inequality. The gender inequality problems in the Middle East were especially eye-opening for me. As a woman married to a
very kind man of God, I was heartbroken to hear of the treatment that many women recieve from their own husbands. Hus-
bands should treat wives as their equal, with respect and honor instead of abuse and domination. Learning about this problem
has compelled me to create culturally sensitive designs that can help empower groups of women. Perhaps I will have an op-
portunity to do this in my future career. Learning about this issue has also brought me to be more grateful for the healthy rela-
tionships in my life.
Honestly, I did not consider global design problems much before this course. I think the most important thing I have
learned in the past six weeks is that there are deeper impacts to be made through design. An interior design can do more than
create an aesthetically pleasing environment. It can improve lives and help people get back on their feet after being knocked
down. I am unsure of how I will participate in the global marketplace in my interior design career, but my main goal is to make a
positive difference. I hope to touch someone’s life and leave something better than when I found it. Perhaps this will be accom-
plished in designing for natural disaster relief or shelters for women and children, as these were the issues I was most touched
by. I think my passion in these areas shows in my design work form this course.
As I continue my studies in interior design, I will utilize the knowledge I have learned throughout this course. I have
learned that it is very important to design with respect to culture. A design should be tailored to the users, and their needs
could be different than my own. It is important to take the time and energy to learn about the cultural needs so that I can create
a more successful design. I look forward to using my new knowledge of global design in my future classes and career.