The construction of the Ruka Llallin Domuche (House of the women who weave like spiders) weaving artisans center is part of the Enel Community Empowerment Program. The project is currently developed in Chile by Architecture for Humanity with the local support of Endesa Chile and also the Pehuen Foundation.
STATUS: Design Development
NEXT MILESTONE: Submit design development package to client for approval.
CONTEXT
The program was established by Endesa Chile, an electric company, supporting the indigenous communities affected by the construction of the hydroelectric plants Pangue and Ralco in the area of Alto Biobio, VIII Region, Chile. The Pehuen Foundation with the aim of promoting sustainability programs to six Pehuenches communities that are Pehuenches part of this initiative, and thus give the tools to improve the quality of life and economic and social conditions of families living in this ethnic location located at the Bío Bío area. A group of Pehuenches women work in the production of textiles that emphasizes traditional cultural identity. At the moment the women need a physical space to develop their weaving activities and training programs.
This center aims to strengthen the ties of the surrounding community, the indigenous community and hydroelectric power stations of Pangue and Ralco, ensuring social development, the valuation of the culture and traditions and the maintenance and promotion of their identity and history. This project seeks to enhance and ensure the culture and traditions of Pehuenches women textile as well as the sale of these products locally and also to international markets, promoting a sustainable initiative that will last for many generations.
PROJECT LOCATION ALTO BIO BIO - CHILE
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PROJECT
The project aims to build two multipurpose community centers that allow the production, training, marketing, and exhibition of the Pehuenche textiles to the local communities and beyond. Today the program has 30 women but will grow to 70 women in the future.
Also the program must be able to be replicated to other similar women weaving groups since the idea is to be able to benefit and build similar centers in neighboring Pehuenche communities.
The new project includes:
- Meeting space for training and workshop.
- Space for weaving.
- Sales area and exhibit.
- Kitchen (the most important space within the Pehuenche culture)
- Restrooms, water facilities and electricity, telephone, internet, septic
- Perimeter fence and furniture with cultural significance
ORGANIZATIONS INVOLVED
| Sponsoring partner | Project Management | Local Partners |
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ARCHITECTURE FOR HUMANITY
The role of Architecture for Humanity is essential throughout all the project development stages. The first step is to analyze the feasibility of the project in order to design an appropriate building that relates to the existing context and the community can take full ownership of the project. Architecture for Humanity is managing the design, construction and construction administration of the school, making sure that the project represents the community’s objectives and the project is developed within schedule and budget. The role of Architecture for Humanity also consists in post-occupancy services in order to build a quality infrastructure that will be sustainable and used by the Pehuenche communities for many years to come.
KEY DOCUMENTS
Workshops engaging the community
Report describing the most important activities involving the community during the design stage.
Architectural project description
Report describing the objectives during the design stage.
Schematic Design
Description and visualization of the project.
