Kigali Living Building Challenge Development
Located in Kigali, Rwanda, the prototype is the first step to a more socially and environmentally sustainable development in the informal neighbourhood of Rwezamenyo. The building sits on a bustling corner with generous openings that welcome the public into the commercial program at grade. Whether it is a restaurant, bike shop, or hardware store – activity between the interior and adjacent sidewalk is intended to be a lively and seamless exchange of ideas and conversation.
Status
In design
Project Team
Principal-in-Charge: Kevin Stelzer; Project Architect: Krystyna Ng
Area of Work
500 m2
INFORMAL SETTLEMENTS AND GOVERNMENT
Historical precedents of working in the context of informal settlements often exhibits the limits of political process and authority. Land development can be highly contentious. Rwanda has one of the fastest going economies in the world, however, a large portion of the built context remains underdeveloped as informal settlements. The country itself does not have significant natural resources to export, but economic activity is emergent and prosperous due to the relatively stable political situation, as well as many young, repatriated Rwandese returning home after receiving higher education aboard. The government is open minded and looking for solutions to typical development concerns.
THE POLITICAL PROJECT KEYSTONE
The keystone for the project from the political perspective is that the government has given everyone who is currently living in this informal settlement, land titles to their properties. This is of utmost importance and sets this development apart from many informal developments. Not only do land titles provide rights, ownership, and a sense of security to the current tenants – it goes further to provide a sense of place as well as social empowerment and sense of community. Land titles are the political project keystone because they provide a platform for socially sustainable development that is inclusive to the current population, avoiding total urban erasure and usual models of gentrification.
PROJECT CONTEXT
The project is set in the Rwezamenyo neighbourhood in Kigali which is minutes from the central business district & downtown core. While there are some main transportation routes through the neighbourhood, the area is composed mostly of unpaved roads, rudimentary infrastructure, and self-built homes. What makes this neighbourhood ideal for the proposed development is its proximity to the already high-value regulated districts. Many people who work in the downtown core and live in the suburbs, bypass this neighbourhood to reach a more conventionally developed area. Providing contextual, modern housing would make this neighbourhood very appealing to professionals working in the downtown core and in turn, enhance the economic activity and income levels of local Rwezamenyo businesses and land title owners.
DESIGN PILLARS
There are three core design pillars for the project. The first pillar, integration of the local context, combines social inclusion, the use of local materials and construction techniques, as well as respect for the existing surrounding building forms and volumes. The second pillar, following the goals and guidance of the Living Building Challenge, addresses the client and user’s interest in incorporating elements of water management, onsite plantings and food production, and rainwater collection and management. Based on current climactic data and historic energy use of the neighbourhood, Rwezamenyo is well poised to achieve the renewable energy demands and building loads as set out by the LBC. The third pillar is increasing economic activity at the local level. This is achieved by providing rental income to landowners, whether renting their residential or commercial space, as well as welcoming a new demographic to the neighbourhood that will increase economic activity and make the area more desirable.
circulation study
roof study
storefront study
interstitial space study
west elevation
The material palette explores creative uses of locally produced clay brick. The subtle change in textures and colour adds variety with a degree of modernization, while complimenting the existing surrounding materiality of self-assembled clay, adobe, and brick homes.
north elevation
level 1 plan
PROTOTYPE
While the long-term goal is to develop larger areas of Rwezamenyo, we needed to create a prototype that would demonstrate to the local population (and government) the economic, functional, and aesthetic benefits that deciding to develop your property can have. The prototype is located on a corner plot along one of the main transportation routes going through Rwezamenyo. This site has been carefully selected for its high visibility location as well as surrounding context of local commercial enterprises, setting the perfect stage for the economic generator our client hopes the project achieves.
level 3 plan
level 2 plan
site plan
The project scope is a two-storey building that with an approximately 100m2 footprint. The ground floor is to be a commercial program, accommodating typical front and back of house requirements, with a three-bedroom apartment on the second level. Incorporation of private outdoor spaces for both the commercial and residential uses was an important design component to include.