Architect's first impressions of CCF

Architect David Ganse, AIA, June 6, 2011: Greetings from Haiti. Our host estimates removal of perhaps 20 percent of the debris and rubble thus far; still looks like a battle zone. Construction machinery is almost non-existent. We observed workers with sledgehammers pecking on the roof of the Presidential Palace; seems absurd.
Today, June 6, was full and productive. We met with a rep of the education ministry over a fabulous cup of Haitian coffee; then with a building contractor capable of a project of this magnitude. Both meetings were to discuss “Norms”; their term for codes and standards. It’s apparent the education ministry has a clear objective and clearly believes the future of their nation relies on educating their youth. Norms for building construction are non-existent.
Off to College Catherine Flon to view a typical day on campus and discuss design objectives with school administrators. Turns out we will be designing an elementary school on another site as well. The site has been cleared and makeshift space has been fashioned from wood and tarps provided by USAID; essentially an enormous tent.
Below the roof is a sea of UNICEF bench desks filled with students of all ages dressed in crisp white shirts and gray slacks and skirts; over 50 to a classroom. It’s loud, hot, vibrating with energy.