Student: Liz Marie Oyas, NewSchool of Architecture and Design Master of Architecture program. Graduating class of 2013.

Thesis Title: Local Jump-Start: A Pediatric + Obstetric Clinic in Catmon Cebu, Philippines
Thesis Advisor: Vuslat Demircay
Rendering Credit: Liz Marie Oyas/NSAD

Thesis Summary: Current healthcare establishments throughout the rural, developing world are often designed and delivered with either a lack of design quality, sanitation, or cultural sensitivity. The most difficult obstacle is the distance between existing quality care and need for immediate response. Too frequently, immediate response applications, such as disaster relief or medical missions, are delivered with a lack in initiating long term economic progress, or the design lacks appropriateness towards the user and context. In the infrastructure of healthcare, there has yet to be a successful way of engaging permanent application. Current facilities within these areas suffer from insufficient air and water quality, with a need of specialty care that is flexible enough for a community’s need and budget. This thesis explores the advantages of prefabrication methods with integration of local methods in assembly and application in order to achieve balance between manufactured design and site specificity. Set in Catmon, Cebu Philippines, a pediatric and obstetric clinic will help improve and provide lasting health maintenance in the community, including neighboring areas. Local culture and traditions were explored in order to appropriately apply vernacular construction techniques and environmental responsive design.  Prefabricating the clinical program allows for essential integration of medical equipment needs, easy maintenance cleaning and flexibility in site placement – providing an efficient solution in the delivery of healthcare.

See more: Work produced by graduating students from NewSchool of Architecture and Design, located in San Diego, will be displayed at the Student Thesis Exposition on June 21, 2013 from 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. The school is located at 1249 F Street, San Diego, Calif. 92101. The event is free and open to the public. Contact PR Manager Anna Cearley for more information: acearley@newschoolarch.edu

About NewSchool of Architecture and Design
NewSchool of Architecture and Design (NSAD), founded in 1980, is located in San Diego, California. For the past two years, DesignIntelligence has ranked NSAD among the top 10 undergraduate architecture schools in the western United States in its publication “America’s Best Architecture & Design Schools.” NSAD is accredited by the Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools (ACICS), a national accrediting agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation. NSAD’s Bachelor of Architecture, Master of Architecture and Executive Master of Architecture programs are accredited by the National Architectural Accrediting Board (NAAB). NSAD also offers a pre-professional Bachelor of Arts in Architecture, along with a Bachelor of Science in Digital Media Arts, a Bachelor of Science in Construction Management, a Master of Construction Management and a Master of Science in Architecture. The school’s expanding global design education offerings include a new Bachelor of Interior Design program available in 2013–2014. For more information, visit www.NewSchoolArch.edu.