The opening of the exhibition "Gingerbread Houses of Port-au-Prince" will be held Friday, January 11, 2013 at 3:30 pm at the Foundation Knowledge and Freedom (Fokal). The exhibition will remain open to the public from Monday to Saturday from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm, until January 26 under the arbor of the Fokal.

This exhibition, through forty plates, puts in context the creation of historic houses Gingerbread of Port-au-Prince during the second half of the nineteenth century. It will also address the architectural approach of the builders of these houses, the different construction techniques they used and the challenges of today, the preservation and rehabilitation of this heritage.

The earthquake of January 12, 2010 revealed us how these constructions are adapted to our seismic risks. Despite their age and lack of maintenance they are surprisingly resilient to shocks of earthquake. They also crossed during many years of bad weather to which we are constantly exposed. Now, in addition to being true jewels of our built heritage, these houses are models that must be taken into account in the reconstruction projects of Port-au-Prince.

By the end of 2009 a dialogue between the Haitian Education and Leadership Program (HELP), the Institute for the Protection of National Heritage (ISPAN), Knowledge and Freedom Foundation - FOKAL, and the Association of Architects and Planners Haitians (ASSAUH) for the preservation of houses "Gingerbread" has led to the inclusion of these houses on the 2010 list of buildings to watch of World Monuments Fund (WMF). It was at this time the launch of this ambitious project to rehabilitate homes and neighborhood Gingerbread driven by FOKAL which aims to safeguard this heritage by promoting their cultural, historical, architectural, social and economic value with the help of national partners ISPAN, IDCO, GATAPHY, ICOMOS-Haiti and international : World Monuments Fund, Walloon Heritage Institute, Neighbourhoods for Haiti...

The public will also have the opportunity to visit Gingerbreads. They can admire and look more closely at these beautiful homes in lace wood, increasingly obstructed by urban drift, but which will not fail to fascinate the space of a ride. They will simply have to register at the reception of the Fokal to be one of the groups that leave the Foundation, January 18 and 25 at 10:00 am at the discovery or rediscovery of Gingerbreads. Visitors will be guided by the Project Manager of Gingerbreads rehabilitation of Port-au-Prince, Farah Hyppolite architect who will analyze thoroughly the characteristics and evolution of this architecture.

Space is limited, interested parties are expected as soon as possible.

Fokal / HaitiLibre