In this graduate topical studio, students investigated the ecological, cultural, and entomological issues that frame modern building typologies in rural Tanzania – exploring the intersection between design, disease, and a rapidly changing climate. 

 

Through interdisciplinary research, design, and fabrication, students will explore ecological, cultural, and thermodynamic issues that frame modern building typologies in rural Tanzania. Particular emphasis will be paid to novel applications of conventional construction techniques and affordable, low-tech building materials. Students will design a passively conditioned, protective building in rural Tanzania. While focused on one country terribly afflicted by mosquito-borne disease, the intention is that strategies embedded in the initial and subsequent prototype designs would be translatable to other low-resource communities in tropical climates. Through interdisciplinary research, design, and fabrication processes, students will explore ecological, cultural, and thermodynamic issues that frame modern building typologies in rural Tanzania. Particular emphasis will be paid to sophisticated and thoughtful applications of conventional construction techniques and affordable, low-tech building materials.