The proposed theme is focused on the Municipality of Champerico (Department of Retalhuleu, Guatemala), in which the NGO Arquitectos Sin Fronteras has developed cooperation activities. It deals with the Community settlement María del Mar, consisting of 71 families of a landless collective, with a total area of 267 hectares. The project aims to the complete planning of the residential area and the farming one as an alternative to the running proposal, but considering the peculiarities of the native culture and its environment territorial.

The main characteristics are the weather, seasonal crops, supply and management of water, sanitation and waste management, along with the possibility of growth in the near future.

The use of immediate solutions and surrounding materials, or at least suitable to its environment, is considered essential. Self-construction and self-management are also assessed, with priority in any case the economic criterion.

Programme

Housing

A total of 71 houses, each associated with a plot of 1600 m2, capable of accommodating orchards and keep different domestic animals. In each house three closed rooms, which each family can use according to needs, and a covered open space for rest and conversation. They also must include a kitchen and dining area, always very airy, a locked tooling warehouse, effective and austere sanitation system, and a shower or sink in which to wash various kitchen utensils and clothes.

It will be valued serial construction, prefabrication and construction likely to favor comfort in a so warm weather.

Community facilities

• Community room: open and covered space or partially closed, as a venue for the community assembly, parties and meeting space.
• Municipal office: office and meeting place for the community mayors, boards and other collective management bodies.
• Primary school: designed to teach children between 5 and 14 years, considering that in the classroom different ages will be grouped.
• Health house: consists of waiting area, room for primary care, waste tank and drugs warehouse.
• Indoor storage space for machinery, tanks and various materials, also including repair shop for community work.
• Multi-sport indoor facility.
• Religious spaces, contemplating separate premises for Catholic and Evangelical churches and worship Maya.
• Shop of manufactured products.
• Cemetery.