FORM FOLLOWS TRADITION - A TALE of CRAFTSMANSHIP in EAST AFRICA
Term
4. term
Education
Publication year
2025
Submitted on
2025-01-13
Pages
167
Abstract
This Master’s Thesis investigates the intersection of traditional craftsmanship and contemporary architecture, driven by a concern for the loss of artisan knowledge in modern industrialized societies. Inspired by a study trip to Tanzania in 2023, the research highlights parallels between the development trajectory in East Africa and the West’s post-Industrial Revolution shift toward carbon-intensive construction methods. The proliferation of concrete and steel in urban architecture, as seen in the Global South, reflects emerging wealth but often disregards environmental sustainability and local cultural identity. The project is a design proposal for Nyange Farm Lodge, located at the foot of Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania. The lodge is envisioned as sustainable and culturally rooted architecture that blends traditional building practices with modern innovations. Utilizing locally available materials such as unburned clay bricks and reinterpreting traditional weaving techniques into structural systems, the design promotes energy efficiency, environmental awareness, and community participation. Through pathways connecting key areas of the farm and lodge, the design fosters interactions between tourists and locals, encouraging cultural exchange and a deeper understanding of traditional practices. The addition of community-oriented features, such as fresh water access and spaces for shared meals, strengthens the local community, while supporting sustainable tourism and local livelihoods. By proposing a contemporary design deeply rooted in local resources and traditions, the thesis challenges the prevailing reliance on carbon-intensive construction. It aims to inspire a broader shift in architectural practice, proving that sustainable, affordable, and aesthetically enriching structures can emerge from the fusion of ancient wisdom and modern technology.
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