The initial scale of the urban growth pattern of a village like Guabuliga is defined by the individual living cell--the single room. From the room to the house (compound) to the neighbourhood to the village, each of these elements are like beads on a necklace in relation to one's similars.

Collaborating with local craftsmen, community workers, and four orphans who were being reintegrated into their extended-family compound revealed insights into the tendency towards abandoning traditional vernacular spatial setups and building techniques.

Why would the architectural typology of the sequence of single rooms be replaced by L-shaped or rectangular courtyard houses? And why would somebody give up on the advantages of the thatched roof just to have a zinc roof?

The reasons are practically, economically, and socially driven. The zinc roof is a more permanent material than the thatch, although it is noisy when it rains and a climatic catastrophe when exposed to the sun. Nevertheless, zinc roofs represent a social upgrade, and a way to create a more permanent living space.Joining up single rooms into one block is a rational consequence of using the rectangular roofing sheets, as well as the people's desire to introduce furniture and other means of modern living.

The consequences that arise from this typological transformation are of climatic, spatial, and aesthetic character.

The spatial impact manifests itself through the loss of interstitial spaces between the single rooms, which merge together into one vast structure. Furthermore, an extroversion of the interior rooms occurs due to the need for windows facing the courtyard and the exterior of the house (compound). The rectangular blocks have an impact on the urban setup approaching orthogonality.

Abandoning the vernacular, regional/local matter, and spatial setup can result in losing a basis, or a compound intuition for intimate space. These spatial components might also be looked at in relation to questions of identity.

CARPENTRY
Michael Bayada Sumzimina

CLIENTS
Thomas, Lariba, Isaac and Zilata Dahamani, supported by BRAVEAURORA