The star homes project that encourages a sustainable and healthy future in Africa

Images by Julien Lanoo

Few weeks ago we published an article talking about architecture social responsibility across Africa in the last few years. In the article we sited how some foreign companies have partner with local organizations especially none profit organization with interest in humanity, education, health and public service to develop building projects across Africa for human benefits, especially the less privilege. Now, another new one in that direction is the idea of Star Homes project designed for a sustainable and healthy future in Africa. Ingvartsen Arkitekter led an inventive team of architects, scientists, entomologists, physicians and the local community to design the Star Homes Project with the aim of providing robust and affordable housing prototypes to encourage a healthy future in Sub-Saharan African conditions, following the projection of population growth of 1.1 billion people in these region in 2050, a population growth that will also occur in architecture, leading to necessary construction of millions of new homes. 

The Star Home prototype which occupies two stories is unique and different from most of the Tanzanian single-level ruralhousing structures. The construction in strong foundation, intends to deliver robust affordable housing units in the regions, hence many houses collapse as a result of the effect of rainy seasons on their poor foundations. That is why each house is built on a raised concrete plinth, cast in a single pour to improve strength and backfilled with compacted earth for the purpose of reducing the use of concrete. 

With the purpose of improving housing on family health in Tanzania, proper ventilation is needed for both house’s condition and for the residents’ health. In line with the traditional housing logic, thick walls absorb heat during the day and radiate it into the home at night, this reduce the use of bed nets and increases the risk of malaria transmission. Cooking inside without adequate ventilation causes respiratory tract infections, especially in children and women, and inadequate water supply and sanitation can result in enteric infections.

Ingvartsen Arkitekters’ Star Homes prototype concept adapts to the hot-humid climate as the intent is to reduce environmental impact and the cost of building the housing units. The exclusive project will offer better healthy conditions for its residents, and school the community new construction skills. The solid walls hollow, including two thin layers of cement rendered on wire mesh. A skeleton made of 0.75mm thick prefabricated light gauge steel members can be erected in less than two days by a local team. This will result in structure that utilizes 70% less concrete compared with a typical concrete block design and 40% less embodied energy.

The interior design team choose a breathable surfaces of netting in order to reduce the indoor temperature and entry of mosquitoes that usually carry diseases. The housing unit’s kitchen and storage area are on the ground level while the bedrooms are located on the upper floor, the latrine is positioned in a separate volume.

Iterative parametric modeling and environmental simulation techniques, such as Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD), was utilized by the design team to improve indoor comfort and the design of individual elements, like the smokeless stove. The exterior has many exclusive beneficial elements like built-in benches, collector of rainwater from the roof which is stored in a 2000L tank through a first flush system to provide free clean drinking water. 

FOR THE RECORD

For the record, the Star Homes Project is part of the ADFÆRD / VELFÆRD exhibition at the Royal Danish Academy. An exhibition model, built on a 1:1 scale, showcases the architectural elements and health interventions of a Star Home, as well as the spaces inside the house. Constructed in wood instead of LGS, the model explores the possibility of adapting different building methods and materials with lower embodied carbon.

Project Info:

Name: The Star Homes Project

Location: MTWARA, Tanzania
Photography: Julien Lanoo | @julienlanoo

Team:

Lead Architect: Jakob Brandtberg Knudsen (Principial, Ingvartsen Architects. Dean. Architecture. Royal Danish Academy – Architecture, Design, Conservation)
Clinical Studies: Led by Lorenz von Seidlein (Professor, Mahidol Oxford Research Unit, Bangkok / University Oxford) and Salum Mshamu (Founder, CEO & Lead Consultant, CSK Research Solutions Ltd. Tanzania)
Research Team: Royal Danish Academy – Architecture, Design, Conservation

Source: Designboom website

Edited by MJ Buildace Magazine