Within third world countries such as the Dominican Republic, it becomes clear through observation that architecture can only exist through permanence, stability, and common efforts of a community. Knowledge enables power, and providing knowledge through the proposed design of a community complex in Barahona, Dominican Republic, will create permanence and stability needed with the Batey communities (migrant labor camps). Through the design and creation of a newfound common ground, the social, cultural, and economical problems will be allowed to resolve between the Haitian and Dominican inhabitants of Barahona.

To become a designer within the 21st Century, we need to become aware of the current demographic and environmental trends. “The gap continues to grow between what millions of people need and what the current system of housing and building provides. For that reason, change is inevitable.” (Expanding Architecture: design as activism) A clear connection is needed to form between the architect and the user, creating the existence of activism within third world countries. Without this connection forming a bond within these communities, architecture cannot truly exist. Through the exemplification of this project the possibility will become apparent to provide hope and guidance to other Bateys in surrounding areas within the Dominican Republic.

The design of a community complex will be located within a 144-acre site, and will house facilities that are greatly needed within the Bateys and Barahona. Upon the completion of this thesis, it is expected that the designs will be carried through to construction. The process of this thesis will allow step-by-step phases, enabling the people of the Bateys and Barahona to acquire the architectural knowledge needed within their communities. As humans we have the right to dwell and the right to live on this earth. Thus architecture will become the bond between the existing cultural and social indifferences between the people of the Dominican Republic. Architecture will become the identification of place.