Structuring families in Africa
Architecture has de power of changing lives, and lives should have the power to change Architecture.
Based on the current housing issue that Africa is facing “In Between” aims to be a short term, affordable, flexible and locally built house to address the shortage of residential housing. Its design approach starts from the adaptability to diverse social needs, different geographical locations and climatic conditions where it can be implemented.
In essence, it is a system composed by a singular module that can be multiplied to achieve different configurations, which can be adapted to different needs. By working with a module “In Between” aims to standardize all the main components to ease its reproduction and solve the housing deficit in a more time efficient and in a more economic way.
Considering the local building techniques and materials the structure is mainly built in wood to keep the traditional construction methods and material availability in the area. Additionally, the facades will be primarily built in baked brick walls using the clay from the region and operable wooden shutters/windows maintaining the interaction with the outside and adjacent spaces.
In this project, the design of the house for the Jorejick family aimed to articulate the relationship between the interior and the exterior spaces by bridging them with the “in between” areas, which are mainly conceived in porches, corridors and inner courtyards. These spaces will offer them the possibility to enjoy the outside environment in rainy days with their daily family activities and ceremonies.
The modules are raised for three different reasons: to differentiate the indoor and the outdoor space, to offer a different perspective by having a higher view over the landscape and surroundings; and to increase the air circulation below the units cooling them down in sunny days.
Year:
2020
Team:
Andrés López, Isabel Driessen
Location:
Gematock, Tanzania
Client:
Archstorming
Program:
Housing
Size:
4600 m²
Status:
Competition entry - Finalist