Date of Submission
Spring 5-11-2026
Degree Type
Dissertation/Thesis
Degree Name
Bachelor of Architecture
Department
Architecture
Committee Chair/First Advisor
Ameen Farooq
Abstract
Haiti faces a complex web of environmental and social pressures, from deforestation and soil erosion to climate instability and strained institutional support. While regenerative farming and community-led development are often discussed in the context of sustainability, architecture is frequently relegated to the background, treated as a secondary or isolated fix rather than a primary driver of change. My work challenges this by positioning architecture as the central, regenerative framework that weaves together food production, collective learning, and civic life. I see the built environment not just as shelter, but as an active agent for resilience and a sense of belonging.
My approach is rooted in a systems-oriented design methodology, one that pairs site-responsive architecture with regenerative farming practices tailored for resource-constrained areas. I’ve centered this framework on three vital, interdependent systems: soil health, water management, and energy independence. Every spatial move, material choice, and programmatic link I’ve made is designed to perform an environmental function while simultaneously sparking social interaction. In this model, agroforestry serves as the primary productive backbone, supported by intensive gardens and hydroponic systems that adapt to various spatial constraints and levels of community participation. I’ve evaluated these architectural configurations based on how well they reveal ecological processes, facilitate shared labor, and encourage the informal exchange of knowledge across communal and productive spaces.
My ongoing findings suggest that when we design environments around participatory ecology, we improve both environmental performance and social bonds. By physically integrating cultivation areas with learning and civic zones, I’ve found we can strengthen collective stewardship, bridge the gap in intergenerational knowledge, and foster a shared responsibility for the land. Using locally available materials and climate-responsive strategies has emerged as a key way to promote cultural continuity and long-term adaptability. By incorporating multiple agricultural systems, the project becomes more resilient, accommodating a diverse range of users, skills, and shifting environmental conditions.
As this project evolves, it becomes clear that architecture—when understood as a relational framework—can move beyond the design of static objects. It can instead foster agency and long-term environmental care. I am developing this framework as a transferable model for sustainable urban and regional growth, showing how architectural practice can bridge the gap between ecological systems and human life in vulnerable contexts. Ultimately, this work demonstrates that architecture can be the catalyst for regenerative processes that extend far beyond a single building, shaping a more resilient and equitable collective future.
Included in
Food Security Commons, Recreation, Parks and Tourism Administration Commons, Urban, Community and Regional Planning Commons, Urban Studies Commons, Urban Studies and Planning Commons