This project was linked to my 5th year of University, more specifically to the thesis of the master degree of interior architecture.
It was a chance to choose your own exercise. And looking at the addressed themes so far, sustainability was a very tempting option.
A very fortunate case study came along. Within in a complex and diverse initiative from a Dutch foundation, that aims to stimulate rural development by financial empowerment of the local Maasai community of Tanzania in order to discourage migration to cities, there was an intention to develop tourism and the so-called Ecolodges.
This triggered a more theoretical and, therefore critical, view of architecture in its transcultural approach. But the final result (or design proposal) is not more then a set of choices, all result of compromises within a complex and contradicting world of natural balance and human perception.
ABSTRACT
A program for ecotourism in the Simanjiro region, Tanzania, is not only part of an integrated intention from a Dutch NGO, but also an opportunity to develop a project which, with a constant critical tone, will address certain fragile and delicate issues, that, despite their level of complexity or relevance, are always inherent to the creative process of architecture. In this case it aims to reflect, explicitly and specifically, about the so called ‘transcultural’ approach when applied to the contradiction of tourism, and, in a implicit and general way, about the notion of sustainability in its broadest sense: economic, social, natural, etc. The strategy that is nominated, results mainly of a critical reasoning, that is, in fact, no more than a constant balance between compromises and choices. This will serve as a guideline to develop, at first, an perspective about Architecture and Vernacular Architecture, and then a particular and real project proposal. Choices, instead of absolute conclusions, demonstrate the importance of assessing and analyzing a large number of facts and options. The architect, as a partial decision-maker should then be reevaluating and incorporating the notions of ‘logic’ and ‘locality/context’, referring, respectively, to the importance of prudent study of what are the evidences in order to turn them into solid arguments, and to the necessity to consider globalization, a phenomenon which is permanent in time, variable in space and irreversible in its effects, in the process of defining place and context.
KEY-WORDS: ecotourism, Vernacular Architecture, process, logic, place, context
extracted from thesis : 'Critical architecture: ecoLOGICAL, Ecotourism in Simanjiro, Tanzania'
Starting with its location: Planned on a slightly pitched hill, faced in southwest direction, its major strength is the vast and also somehow diverse view and scenery. The plains coexist with the charismatic mountain of Rotian.
This predicted the first design concept for a two pax luxury retreat. How to deal with this vastness? And in a very early stage it was decided that the bed, basically the most important element in a ‘temporary lodging’, would be the center of the building. Commonly positioned towards a framed view, it here proposes a totally new perception of the surroundings. Not only does it create and ax from on the east located mountain to the valley, but it also allows a free vision towards the sky.
The structure is thus basically the union of two solid volumes through a void. But the two ‘solid’ parts, mainly characterized by its natural materials, turn out to be the (semi) exterior areas. The tall grass roof and the rammed earth walls mean a simple contour of the raised private premises. The apparent void is the only ‘interior’ space. By introducing a ‘freestanding’ and ‘interrupting’ tent the comfort of the tourist is assured.
The free view towards the sky is managable through a movable water proof screen that protects the bed area.
The main building component is probably the rammed earth technique. A choice that was related to the natural and reversible characteristics, the ability to control thermic and humidity levels, and more important the message it could send out to the emerging building scene in Tanzania. Building with clay is not associated to a valuable and noble live style. But by showing in a sophisticated tourist retreat one of the many ways to build with it in combination with some news technologies, the hope is there to trigger and inspire a broader horizon in possibilities.
