TECHO para Chile is a non-profit organization committed to addressing housing insecurity across the country. For over 53 years, Fundación Vivienda (FV)—a key partner—has contributed to this mission by developing highly adaptable panel-based housing solutions that serve both temporary and permanent needs, in collaboration with public and private institutions.
Exterior view of the 19 m² emergency shelter built with OSB panels.
View of the lower left corner of the 19 m² emergency shelter built with OSB panels.
Upper left corner view of the 19 m² emergency shelter built with OSB panels.
Upper right corner view of the 19 m² emergency shelter built with OSB panels.
Left interior view of the 19 m² emergency shelter built with OSB panels.
Front exterior view of the 19 m² emergency shelter built with OSB panels.
Right interior view of the 19 m² emergency shelter built with OSB panels.
In the summer of 2018, just before entering university, I participated in TECHO’s Summer Volunteer Program, which began on January 5th and lasted for two weeks. During this time, we built a complete transitional home from the ground up.
That summer, 1,338 volunteers mobilized across the country. The 2019 Volunteer Projects (TDV) took place in multiple Chilean regions, including Tarapacá, Antofagasta, Atacama, Coquimbo, Valparaíso, Ñuble, La Araucanía, and Los Lagos.
Through both winter and summer projects (TDI & TDV), the organization aimed to provide essential infrastructure to the country’s most vulnerable communities. This included:
Through both winter and summer projects (TDI & TDV), the organization aimed to provide essential infrastructure to the country’s most vulnerable communities. This included:
Emergency housing
Community centers
Walkways
Water towers
In total, 197 transitional homes and 5 basic infrastructure projects were completed, benefiting 297 families.
Each project involved direct collaboration with the local community—identifying their most urgent needs, planning, budgeting, and mobilizing resources through fundraising and volunteer coordination.
The house I helped build was constructed by a small team of 8 people:
2 experienced team leaders
6 volunteers, including myself
These team leaders guided the process and ensured safe, effective construction.
Each family was assigned a specific volunteer crew. Beyond construction, we focused on building relationships, engaging with the families, and reflecting on housing inequality in Chile—a social issue often overlooked.
The process of building a "mediagua" (a transitional shelter) included:
Manual land leveling
Laying the foundation
Floor and wall assembly
Thermal insulation
Roof installation
The result: a 6x3 meter shelter, offering immediate and dignified housing.
this volunteer allow me to get for the first time hand on construcction and start my journy enjoying design in empiric way.