[Bamboo is often associated with poverty and the rural way of life. Photo credit R. Villanueva]

Some Reflections on Building with Local Materials

July 7, 2015

At united➃design, we often discuss the importance (and difficulties) of working with local, non-industrial materials. Recently, we participated in a bamboo workshop hosted by Bambusa Collabo near Dumaguete City in the Philippines. Interestingly, we found parallels between the local perceptions of bamboo in the Philippines and earth in Niger. Bamboo is often dubbed as the ‘poor man’s timber’, and like earthen construction, the material is stigmatized and strongly associated with poverty and the rural way of life.

[NM2000 Construction site_image by united➃design]

Brick Fright

June 1, 2015

Our NM2000 project ran into unforeseen challenges recently. From the beginning, we were very excited to use compressed earth blocks (CEB) and our biggest challenge has been to make sure we have access to high-quality bricks. But through it all, we didn't really consider the implications of our choice in the context it was meant for, in terms of access to a skilled labor force.

[Compressed Earth Blocks with Laterite Soil_image by united➃design]

New Methods for Building with “Old” Materials

November 13, 2014

For our housing project in Niger, we are using Compressed Earth Blocks (CEB), a material that has only recently started being used in Niamey, Niger's capital. The blocks are produced from mostly basic dry soil with a small amount of clay and aggregate with typically 7-10% of cement added.

[EWB-CU Rwanda team members sourcing materials. Image by EWB-CU Rwanda]

The Western vs. the Local Architect in Developing Countries

October 1, 2014

While in Niger this summer, we learned many lessons about working remotely and practicing in a developing country. Our local team member (who is from Niger) showed many people the housing proposal we’ve been working on over the past few months. The overall response was positive and enthusiastic, although many commented on our use of compressed earth blocks and felt that this material would make these homes only suitable for a lower socioeconomic class

[Gohar Khatoon girls’ school wall mural competition: six different walls will be painted by women artists and students_image by united➃design]

Engaging Community Through Art: a Competition at the Gohar Khatoon Girls’ School

August 12, 2014

Throughout the process of designing the Gohar Khatoon girls’ school, we have explored various ways to engage the school community–not only to improve the design, but also to involve the students and teachers in all stages of the project. This is important, because in the end, this building will be their school. Many educational institutions built by aid organizations in Afghanistan over the last few years have remained empty or have been put to a different use after completion, simply because they didn’t meet the community’s needs. Our role as architects is to understand these needs and to respond accordingly.

[View of the new Gohar Khaton Girls’ School in Afghanistan]

The Importance of School Design in Afghanistan

July 15, 2014

united➃design was founded last summer while working on an incredible project, the Gohar Khatoon Girls’ School, located in Mazar-i-Sharif in Afghanistan. The project is funded by the Janet W. Ketcham Foundation, and implemented by Sahar and the Afghanistan American Friendship Foundation.

[View of project approach in a modest neighborhood of Niamey_image by united➃design]

Public Space, Islam and Women in Niger

July 2, 2014

At united➃design, we ponder a wide variety of subjects, across a range of scales. Working on different continents requires us to study and propose context-sensitive solutions for diverse conditions. One example is a project we developed to address the lack of access that young women have to the urban public realm in Niger’s capital, Niamey.

[Entry to middle class home planned for Niamey, Niger_image by united➃design]

Housing for the Middle Class in Niamey, Niger

May 29, 2014

Since the founding of united➃design last year, we’ve been busy planning projects in two different parts of the world, Afghanistan and Niger. In Afghanistan, we have been developing educational infrastructure for women and girls, while our project in Niger has challenged us to consider the growing need for housing in West Africa. One million inhabitants live in Niger’s capital, Niamey.

[Sending Military Equipment Back to the US from Afghanistan_Image Source: Timothy Lundberg]

Scarcity, Abundance, and the Waste of War

May 27, 2014

Over the last year and half, united➃design has been working with the aid organization Sahar on the Gohar Khatoon Girls’ School, which is currently under construction, and we are also planning a boarding school for rural women and girls–both projects are located in Mazar-i-Sharif, Afghanistan’s fourth largest city. Working in a place like Afghanistan has made us acutely aware of resources and how material flows can reflect the country’s recent history.