Research + Design Advanced Studio
Vivienda Rural Digna
(“Dignified Rural Housing”)
Social Rural Housing Project in 4 Different States in Colombia Project by Nelson Vargas and Universidad Agraria
Project started on 2018-2019
Colombia: Boyaca, Cundinamarca, Arauca and Santander
Colombia's
Rural Housing Actuality
In many regions of Colombia, especially in highland and agricultural areas, rural workers often live in precarious housing conditions. Their homes are usually built with low-cost or recycled materials such as wood, metal sheets, plastic tarps, and other makeshift elements. These structures tend to be small, poorly insulated, and vulnerable to weather conditions like rain, wind, and cold temperatures.
Limited access to infrastructure, such as running water, sanitation, and electricity, adds to the challenges of rural living. Although there are government programs and NGO initiatives aimed at improving rural housing, progress has been uneven, and many families still rely on self-built shelters.
This situation reflects broader issues of inequality and lack of investment in rural development, which affect not only housing but also access to healthcare, education, and transportation. Despite these hardships, rural communities continue to play a crucial role in Colombia’s food production and cultural identity.
Nelson Vargas
Project Vivienda Rural Digna
The Vivienda Rural Digna (“Dignified Rural Housing”) project is a social-academic initiative spearheaded by Uniagraria (Fundación Universitaria Agraria de Colombia) under the coordination of civil engineer Nelson Vargas. Its aim is to provide safe, sustainable, and dignified housing for rural families in Colombia who live under precarious conditions, while also involving students in hands-on, socially impactful work.
The project focuses on improving the housing conditions for vulnerable rural populations. These include campesinos (peasant farmers), families of low income, victims of conflict, mothers heading households, and people in zones with little infrastructure.
Another major goal is educational: to involve civil engineering students from Uniagraria in all stages of the project, from material research to design and construction. This not only enriches the students’ training but helps build capacity for sustainable building practices in rural regions.
Since its start (around 2018–2019), Vivienda Rural Digna has built and delivered dozens of homes; for example, as of mid-2023, at least 25 finished dwellings have been handed over. Additional houses are under construction. The geographic reach spans several departments: Cundinamarca, Boyacá, Arauca, and Santander. Specific municipalities where the homes have been delivered include Chocontá (vereda Aposentos) and Villapinzón in Cundinamarca.
For many rural families, these homes represent a considerable improvement in safety, health, and comfort. Having all the essentials (flooring, kitchens, sanitation) helps reduce exposure to environmental hazards and disease.
Using materials like guadua, earthen walls, and other local fibers reduces transport costs, environmental footprint, and helps preserve or revive traditional construction methods.
Typologies
01
Boyaca / Cundinamarca
This housing typology is more effective in Boyacá because it uses local materials like guadua and earth, which are abundant and affordable in the region. These materials provide good thermal insulation, keeping interiors warmer in the cold highland climate. The design is simple, lightweight, and adaptable, making construction faster and cheaper while respecting local building traditions. It also has a lower environmental impact, aligning with sustainable development goals for rural areas.
Materials
Guadua
Guadua is a giant bamboo native to tropical regions of Latin America, especially Colombia. It grows quickly and produces strong, flexible culms used for construction, furniture, and crafts. Known for its high strength-to-weight ratio and sustainability, guadua is an eco-friendly alternative to timber and plays a key role in traditional and modern architecture across the region.
Compressed Earth Blocks (CEB)
Compressed Earth Blocks (CEBs) are building units made by compacting a mix of soil, clay, and sometimes stabilizers (like cement or lime) in a press. They are dried rather than fired, which saves energy. CEBs are durable, low-cost, and provide good thermal performance, making them an eco-friendly alternative to conventional bricks for walls and other structures.
Yute (Natural Fibers)
Yute is a natural plant fiber, mainly grown in warm, humid regions. It produces long, soft strands used to make sacks, ropes, mats, and textiles. Known as the “golden fiber,” jute is strong, biodegradable, and inexpensive, making it a sustainable alternative to synthetic materials and supporting rural economies worldwide.
Fique (Natural Fibers)
Fique is a Colombian plant similar to agave that produces strong, natural fibers. These fibers are used to make ropes, sacks, and crafts. It’s durable, biodegradable, and supports rural economies as an eco-friendly alternative to synthetic materials.
Construction Tecniques
Guadua Joinery Techniques
Guadua Joinery Tecniques
Bahareque
Bamboo/Guadua Framing
Bahareque is a traditional Latin American construction technique that uses a light wooden or bamboo frame filled with a mixture of earth, clay, straw, and other natural fibers. The infill is packed or woven between the structural elements to form walls. This method is inexpensive, locally sourced, and provides good thermal performance, making it common in rural areas for sustainable and low-cost housing.
Mud or Manure
Rock Brick and Mortar
Wall Matrix
Vertical Elements
Braces
Guadua Strips
Soil Mixture
Structure
