Bridging the gaps in the practice of architecture in remote parts of Africa (Part 3)

Accessing high quality building products and fabrication services The first two articles in this series focused on the challenges associated with knowledge gaps related to design and construction in remote parts of the Great Lakes Region of Africa. Another gap to address is the lack of access to high quality products and fabrication services needed …

Bridging the gaps in the practice of architecture in remote parts of Africa (Part 2)

Bridging the Knowledge Gap: the key to cost effective and structurally sound construction in remote regions I have been working in the field of architecture and construction for over 5 years in remote parts of Central Africa, specifically the Great Lakes Region. Repeatedly, I’ve observed that the greatest barrier to building a safe structure is …

Bridging the gaps in the practice of architecture in remote parts of Africa (Part 1)

Gaps between Expertise and Contextual Knowledge In 2016 I was offered a construction supervision position at a university in the Democratic Republic of Congo. I was going to supervise the structural retrofit, remediation and construction of the university’s core academic and administrative facility designed to accommodate a 2400-seat auditorium, classrooms and offices. The building had …

Container Houses

Office unit for an electric company in Congo (DRC) Two high cube 40ft containers are used for this project to provide a co-working space for 15 people and a boardroom for 8 people. There is a a large porch that can be fully enclosed with adjustable shutters. There is also a toilet addition made of …

Lamps

I like a house that is well lit and when that is not the case I find myself making lamps. I designed this lamp in school. I was inspired but the stages of enlightenment in Buddhism after I did a study on the Borobudur temple. Genesis 1:2-4: Now the earth was formless and void, and …