2020 Jorejick House/Tanzania
The Jorejick family house takes inspiration from the landscape and local architecture. By keeping the huts concept and reconstructing them into a living complex, the design has achieved mobility that could fit different family types, hence getting common areas that are brought together under one roof. The house is airy and chic, yet true to the local aesthetic, cost-efficient, and functional. It allows the coexistence of a large number of family members in one living space, attempting to meet everyone’s needs for privacy, and at the same time, also providing sufficient space for the family to gather and spend time together. Design Principles Economy • Materials the materials can be found locally, and are cost-effective. using local materials such as mud, wood, steel roof panels, mud bricks and also a bit of concrete. I’m also using upcycled materials, that can be found on the land around the site, such as twigs, steel roof panels, mud, logs, mud brick leftovers, and also various textiles. Using upcycled materials significantly lowers the costs of construction, while maintaining an eco-friendly approach. Construction • Foundations are made of concrete. • Floors are made of a mixture of mud bricks and concrete, creating a beautiful Terrazzo floor. • Walls made of mud bricks, built on a concrete base mixed with mud soil. The top of the walls is made out of huddled wooden bars, contributing to the pleasant airflow, and so are the screen walls that connect the huts. • Roof V-shaped roof panels made of steel, allowing it to collect rainwater for the water reservoir. Efficiency • Modularity Two separate living units: 1. Shared living space 2. Private rooms This allows a customization of both living spaces, that can be tailored to any family’s growing and changing needs without additional costs; the bedrooms are designed so that they can contain a double bed, twin beds, or single + bunk beds. Each private room can contain 1-3 people. • Efficient This type of modularity also contributes to cost calculation, due to knowledge of the amount of materials that are being used in each unit. • Climate Control Airflow - Because most of the year the climate is hot and humid, the house is designed in a way that allows a constant airflow, lowering the need for electrically operated ventilation or conditioning. • Water There’s a water reservoir that collects rainwater and dew drops, and functions as the residence’s water supply (shower and tap). • Compost The toilets are compostable, which is helpful to the soil and prevents unpleasant odors.