A.S.W Portfolio

SELECTED WORKS

TERRA

UNIVERSITY COLLEGE LONDON

Bartlett School of Architecture; RC4; Automation: Platforms, Homes and Housing.

Tutors; David Doria, Manuel Jimenez Garcia, Provides NG, Gilles Retsin, Kevin Saey, Molly Claypool.

Team Members; Anita Wesonga, Dayong Luke, Du Li, Gareth Volka.

PROBLEM

Our mission was to tackle the housing and climate crises (especially in terms of construction industry emissions) by providing affordable housing and solutions for a sustainable lifestyle.

Research Cluster 4 Brief; RC4’s agenda is on housing and automation, with a specific interest in platforms based on automation with discrete design and fabrication technologies.

PROPOSED SOLUTION

Terra is a sustainability-conscious nonprofit using a combination of rammed earth and earth casting partially automated techniques to create environmentally sustainable housing communities.

Through automation of the ramming process, we are able to create a variety of typologies of rammed earth buildings by a computational combination of limited rammed earth components and moulds.

Our platform connects residents to a sustainable lifestyle by subscribing them to purchasing sustainable lifestyle products and binding them to a contract that pushes

PLATFORM

Our platform connects selected sustainable lifestyle companies to residents in need of affordable and quality housing.

The companies then subsidize the cost of housing but residents have a mandatory subscription to acquire sustainable products from these companies allowing them to pay back this cost over time.

MATTER; RAMMED EARTH

Our material research was focused mainly on rammed earth and casting and a combination of both building techniques.

Based on our explorations we came up with a hybrid system with a gradient of both, only adding concrete to the layers required to have more structural integrity. Based on a model for discrete architecture, we came up with a few components aggregated by computational methods to come up with a variety of units.

The components are made up of rammed earth walls and earth+concrete floors.

MATTER + COMPUTATIONAL AGGREGATION

Our computational process combined wave function collapse that was used to aggregate the components to come up with a variety of typologies. Pix 2 Pix was used to determine the outline of the building depending on the surrounding buildings and landscape. Post processing was also done to ensure efficient lighting and ventilation.

Physical Model Aggregations

Floor plans after aggregation

Aggregation of the physical models to create different floor plans and typologies

FABRICATION; Construction Process

Automation of the construction process was done by introducing robotic ramming of earth which is the most time consuming and manually engaging process in conventional rammed earth processes.

LIMINAL SPACES

WORKSHOP

Moderators; iheartblob

Softwares; Cinema4D+Octane

Team Members; Anita Wesonga, Xu Freya

The three architectural traits from our selected Precedents. We were inspired by the manipulation of a simple block that led to the creation of a well ornamented building that summarizes the three architectural features of geometry, repetition and extrusion.

The aim was to dissect core architectural properties of canonical projects; in our case Ennis House; and juxtapose them with digital traits.

The result was the design of an architecture that is neither physical or digital but somewhere in between.

We created our model with horizontal geometry, the hallmark of Frank Wright, as our core. We used extrusion and repetition to express these characteristics in this model, giving the design a sense of sequence with a touch of digital aspects which make it more unique.

We also explored the relationship between NFTs and Architecture.

MOMBASA RESIDENTIAL

ARCHITECTURE KENYA DE-

Brief; The brief was to design a residential home in the coastal region of Kenya. The finishings were inspired by the surrounding coral reefs in the region.

SIGN WORKSHOP Registered Architect; Martin Tairo

ARCHITECTURE KENYA DESIGN WORKSHOP

The brief was to design a residential home in Dar es Salaam

I worked on the project from the conceptual design, technical design and 3D renderings under the supervision of the Senior Architect

Registered Architect; Martin Tairo

Brief;

Aging in Place.

Title-Housing Inclusive of the Elderly

Location:Athi River,Kenya

Academic Year 6

The project demonstrates how the built environment can contribute to creating an environment where the elderly are physically and socially catered for within their homes from the larger scale of the community as a whole to the smaller scale of the housing unit. The themes below were the guiding principles.

Adaptability

Variety of housing

Flexibility of structures

PLANNING CONCEPTS

The main themed of the project are connectivity and well being which guided the concepts highlighted.

CONCEPTS

Low and middle density housing further from the main spine

River Stoni Athi provides views from site and creates a serene environment

Communal Courtyard Planning. This provides shared interactive spaces for residents to socialize and share amenities to the maximum.

High density residential units closer to the main spine and the industrial park.

50 metres river riparian to be used as a community green space for social interaction and relaxation

Shared amenities such as commercial and recreational spaces are to be distributed across the entire site and also centrally loacated to enable easy access by residents especially for the pedestrian population.

Housing sorrounds the open spaces with communal parking at the entrance.

Themes mentioned earlier to facilitate for housing inclusive of the elderly will be employed at the masterplan ,cluster and the housing unit level

Accesibility-

Barrier Free design

Closeness of housing to services.

Access to public transportation

Inclusivity-Connection of homes to open spaces

Integration of activities for all ages

Central Activity Spine

That connects residents to communal spaces throughout the site.

Existing Industrial Park is seen as an advantage as it provides employment opportunities for residents.

Communal Spaces centrally located for easy access by all residents.

Multi Entry Points create smooth circulation flow on site.

Sketch of proposed zoning and planning

Typical Cluster

Bubble Diagram of Area within the site to be detailed.

Housing condusive for aging in place provides an opportunity to live work and play which has been catered for in the proposed zoning.

Social Club Reception Bar/Restaurant Conference Room

Movie Theatre

Multipurpose

Landscaped Gardens

center.

Proposed market and retail spaces

ADAPTABILITY.

Commercial Higher Density Housing Medium Density Housing

A variety of housing options enables for a shift in options within the same neighbourhoodas one ages.

Semi Public river park Row Housing. Purpose built units for the elderly

HOUSING

Mall Food court.

Central Shopping Center: Mini Commercial Center Mini Market Clinic Stalls

Educational zone Primary School Kindergarten

Playing Field

Waste Treatment Plant Water Treatment plant

Public Utilities: Industrial Park Light Industries

Higher Density Housing Commercial LEGEND.

Educational Industrial Park Existing Housing Medium Density Housing

Public Purpose

Buildings closer to the main spine are higher as privacy increases as one goes deeper ino the estate

A variety of housing densities cretes options enabling for easy transition within the same neighborhood.

PRIMARY SCHOOL AND KINDERGARTEN

Such amenities enable for multigenerational living

MARKET COMMERCIAL AND WELLNESS CENTER.

These not only create opportunities for work but also enable for easy acquisition of daily utilities

COMMERCIAL OFFICES.

Commercial offices within industrial park next to Mombasa Road(the main accesss road)provide an opportunity for work.

INDUSTRIAL PARK.

The Existing industrial Park is located closer to Mombasa road.

A green buffer zone has been created between the industrial park and residential units to counter effects of air and noise pollution

An aerial view of the conceptual layout of the highlighted area to be detailed to show facilitation of aging in place features in an urban set up in Kenya

ACCESIBILITY

Provision of public and private vehicular access and pedestrian access with consideration for pedestrian safety enables for accesibility at masterplan level.

INCLUSIVITY.

This caters mostly to the social needs of residents. Availability of a wellness center with multigenerational recreational activities and the semi-public recreational park creates inclusitivy not only for the elderly but for different age groups.

River park plan.

INCLUSIVITY AT MASTERPLAN LEVEL: OPEN AND COMMUNITY SPACES.

The park is easily accesible from all housing at a walking distance. It provides opportunities for relaxation and intergenerational activities that the elderly can take part in.

A variety of activities with different age groups helps in reducing elder lonliness which is prevalent in many aging persons.

Including an elderly daycare center within the wellness center ecourages the elderly to age in place knowing there are facilities within their neighbourhood to cater for them.

The elderly day care center at the wellness center with transportation services creates an opportunity to age in place especially as one without a caregiver or even those with a caregiver who spend the day alone at home approaches the frail elderly stage of life .

Cyclist and pedestrian path connecting the park to the housing units.

CLUSTER

River Stoni Athi.

Provides pleasant views especially from the storied buildings and creates a serene environment.

ADAPTABILITY

VARIETY OF HOUSING WITHIN CLUSTER

Variety of housing fosters adaptability at cluster level. One may easily transition from house to house within the same neighbourhood thus maintaining farmiliarity.

Older individuals may have greater connectivity to places they have lived longer in.

INCLUSIVITY.

Parks accesible from the housing unit creates opportunities for interaction especially for retired elderly who may have more time for recreational activities.

Proposed park on river riparian. provides opportunities for work, relaxation and play creating a multigenerational inclusive space.

Shared open spaces within the clusters enable for recreation at a more intimate scale.

seats. Shared parking

ACCESIBILITY WITHIN CLUSTERS.

Bungalow 2

Shared open space. Shared open space.

Bungalow 1. Purpose built for the elderly.

Semi Detached Unit

Pedestrian access with shaded seats.

Shared space

Row housing

Bungalow

Bungalow

Shared green space

Semi-detached housing.

Row Housing

Play area. River view

Longitudinal Elevation.

Cluster 1 Cluster 2

Pedestrian Walkway separated for pedestrian safety

Vehicular Access Access to housing unit.

GROWHOME .

This unit has an accesory unit that can accomodate a caregiver.

The staircase is located at the entrance enabling for subleting of upper floors or expansion of upper units with time. The ground floor can serve as a starter unit since it is self sufficient with an acccesible bedroom. The upper floor can be sublet with the lower floor maintaining some privacy due to the positioning of staircase next to the entrance.

FLEX HOME

.

As a person ages, their family size may reduce.The flex home provides an opportunity for subdivision of a larger home to two units which may be esily subletable.

Cluster 2 containing the grow home and flex home

Reinforced wall adjacent to the stairwell also enables for future installation of stairlift

Grow Home

Flex Homes

Title-Ecolodge Design

Location:Rongai,Kenya

Academic Year 4

Design for ecology, sustainability, adaptive re -use, Green Design, Organic design

The proposed project is the design of a 50 bed eco-lodge on a riverside property located in the suburban countryside of Rongai in the outskirts of the Nairobi metropolis.

This ecolodge is expected to reinforce Rongai’s historical conservation and touristic role as host to wildlife dispersal lands, home to the rich cultural heritage of the maasai people, host to tourist lodges and as an adjunct area to the Nairobi National Park.

VENERCULAR DESIGN AND USE OF LOCALLY AVAILABLE

MATERIALS

My design was inspired by the traditional elder maasai wifes home Rammed earthis used for the walls and makuti used for roofing

Locally available timber is used for the furniture and the maasai shuka used as fabric for some of the seats

DESIGN CONCEPTS COMMUNITY

Local staff from the community will be employed and trained

All employees areeducated in sustainable practices including Waste reduction recycling energy management composting and water conservation This in turn influences not just our employees but the attitudes and social habits of the community

Sales of local artwork and handicrafts of indigenous tribes will benefit them directly

POWER

Hot water is provided by passive solar heaters and backup propane heaters that only heat when the water is turned on

Energy efficient refrigerators and freezer

Energy efficient lighting

Maximum use of daylight to minimize use of artificial lighting

WATER

Grey water reuse and recycling

Grey Kitchen water filtration and re-use

Rain water harvesting

Rain water collection storage and distribution most of the water used will come from rain water collection

WASTE MANAGEMENT

All organic waste will be composted and used in the organic gardens

Sorting waste on-site and taking it to the recycling tip

Sewage treatment

CONSERVATION

Mature trees are conserved and for every one cut down three more are planted

River reserve respected

OTHER

Use of fresh vegetables and fruit instead of canned products

Provision of organic chickens and eggs from local farmers

Fruit and vegetables are grown on site at the organic gardens without the use of pesticides or commercial fertilizer

Gardens and landscaping are fertilized with natural compost and manure

Main Lodge hosting the restaurant and longe.

PROJECT DESCRIPTION

Location: Rongai, Kajiado Kenya

Restaurant Deck.

Rammed earth and locally sorced wood used for construction.

Design for ecology, sustainability, adaptive re -use, Green Design, Organic

The proposed project is the design of a 50 bed eco-lodge on a riverside property located in the suburban countryside of Rongai in the outskirts of

This ecolodge is expected to reinforce Rongai’s historical conservation and touristic role as host to wildlife dispersal lands, home to the rich cultural heritage of the maasai people, host to tourist lodges and as an adjunct area to the Nairobi National Park. Issues

PROJECT HIGHLIGHTS

Sustainability :Design for Ecology

Pavilion, spa and swimming pool.