2019 On Site Review Report by Bekim Ramku 4655.DJI

SOS Children’s Village Tadjourah,

Architect Urko Sanchez Architects

Client SOS Children’s Village International

Design 2011-2012

Completed 2014

SOS Children’s Village Tadjourah, Djibouti

I. Introduction

The SOS Children’s Village is located in the city of Tadjourah, just metres off the coast of the Gulf of Tadjourah, some 180 kilometres north of the capital city of Djibouti.

The architects were approached by the Austrian NGO SOS-Kinderdorf, which is committed to caring for vulnerable children, to design a compound of 13 houses to run their family strengthening programmes. The harsh climate in this part of the Horn of Africa was a determining aspect in the design solution for the complex.

After extensive research on the location and local culture, the architects opted for a medina-based typology, keeping in mind that the compound is built for children. In accordance with the extreme weather conditions as well as community tradition, the architects introduced spaces for outdoor living, with consideration for ventilation, thermal comfort, safety and self-sufficiency.

II. Contextual information

A. Brief historical background

Located in the Horn of Africa, Tadjourah is one of the oldest towns in Djibouti and the capital of the Tadjourah Region. The town evolved into an early Islamic centre with the arrival of Muslims shortly after the Hegira. It was an important port for many centuries, ruled by a succession of polities, including the Ifat Sultanate, the , the Ottoman Empire and until Djibouti’s independence in 1977. Lying on the Gulf of Tadjourah, it is home to a population of around 45,000 inhabitants. It is the third largest city in the country after Djibouti City and Ali Sabieh.

B. Local architectural character, including prevalent forms and materials

Apart from the colonial buildings in Djibouti city, due to the desert nomadic tradition, there is a lack of local architectural references. The architects studied their essential relationship with open space and the social activities that take place there, as well as more elaborated examples of similar cultures around the region.

There are two basic examples of traditional architecture in this part of the world. One is the hut-like shelter made out of leaves and/or fabrics; the light fabrics are dismantled and carried on a camel when the time to move comes. The other is a “cave” made out of stones, which is left behind and reused when the family returns to the same location. Both are mere shelters of protection from extreme climate (sun and sandstorms). Life therefore takes place in the outdoors.

C. Climatic conditions

Tadjourah is located on the coast of Djibouti, in the Horn of Africa, not far from where the hottest temperature ever was recorded. The climatic conditions are extreme: it is mainly hot with high humidity throughout the year, with severe droughts and sandstorms.

1 D. Immediate surroundings of the site, including architectural character, access, landscaping, etc.

Surrounded mainly by desert, in between the rift system and the sea, Tadjourah sits on dry land. The plot itself is located within metres of the sea front and at about 100 metres from the main road. Access from Djibouti City to Tadjourah takes two-and-a-half hours by ferry, and boats are only available on rare occasions. The common way to access is by a paved road (130 kilometres) that goes around the Gulf of Tadjourah and through Assal and Ghoubet lakes, taking about two-and-a-half hours.

The town of Tadjourah is composed of single-storey structures built with simple materials. Natural light and ventilation are not considered since the buildings are mostly mere shelters.

E. Topography of the project site

Located a few metres from the seaside, the plot was mainly flat with only a few trees as significant elements which the architects included into the design. Adjacent to it, there is also a mosque that was kept intact.

III. Programme

A. History of the inception of the project; how the project was initiated

The architects were commissioned by the SOS-Kinderdorf NGO to design three projects for them, one of which was a children’s village in Tadjourah. The architects were introduced to the SOS systems, learning about the community where the project would take place, their nomadic traditions and the extreme climate of the region.

According to the architects, the very hot and dry climate was a determining aspect in the design solution. On the other hand, and as in many other places in Africa, there is a lack of regulation on , which often leaves developers the freedom to build low-quality, short-term rentable architecture, frequently leaving sustainability aside. In the case of these architects, this freedom came with great responsibility and it was the ideal context to design a high-quality, low-budget compound.

Due to the extreme weather conditions in Djibouti it was essential for the architects, even before getting into the concept of the project, to carry out deep research on this aspect. The research focused especially on winds and shades, establishing a few guidelines to follow during the process of design, such as regarding sun protection and maximising the wind flow to allow cross-ventilation. The architects searched for traditional housing references in similar cultural and climatic environments and finally decided to design a medina, with narrow streets that would shade one another, providing natural ventilation and corridors of wind flow – but with the singularity of being designed for children.

B. How were the architects and specialists chosen?

After Urko Sanchez Architects were approached by SOS-Kinderdorf, they brought together a team of specialists from around the world experienced in working within the region. The project team was composed of: - Urko Sanchez (and his team), a Spanish architect based in Kenya for over a decade who had worked in ; - John Andrew, a Ugandan architect based in Djibouti;

2 - Oliver Khabure, a Kenyan engineer with experience in the East African region; - Fritz Bachlechner, an Austrian project manager based in Kenya; - Dji Fu, a Chinese contractor based in Djibouti.

C. General programme objectives

The architects received a basic project brief to design and build a small village comprising 13 houses where the NGO would run their family-strengthening programmes for vulnerable children. In addition to creating a place where children who cannot stay with their families can be looked after by the SOS mothers in their family-based care, they were also to design and build on a nearby plot a kindergarten where pre-schoolers can be looked after and encouraged to develop confidently.

D. Functional requirements (i.e. architect’s brief)

SOS has very strict guidelines for the construction of their Children’s Village; they requested ten houses to accommodate ten children each. Also to be included were the director’s house, the aunts’ house and a guests’ house. The overall compound should be a safe and functional environment for children to be raised in. Beside those guidelines, the architects convinced SOS to allow them to introduce open courtyards.

IV. Description

A. Building data: volumetry, massing, number of units, surface in square meters, etc.

Total site area: 2,600 square metres

Ground-floor area: • Enclosed 1,400 square metres • Courtyards 266 square metres

Number of units: 10 + director’s house + aunts’ house + guests’ house

Detailed programme:

• House 01 116 square metres • House 02 117.50 square metres • House 03 111.32 square metres • House 04 120.29 square metres • House 05 117.28 square metres • House 06 118.43 square metres • House 07 112.19 square metres • House 08 115.17 square metres • House 09 116.60 square metres • House 10 120.24 square metres • Courtyards 266.38 square metres • Utility building 55 square metres • Director’s house 123 square metres • Aunts’ house 100 square metres • Community/Guest house 95 square metres

3 B. Evolution of design concepts, including:

1. Response to physical constraints – siting, climate, plot ratios, etc.

Even though there were no local regulations imposed, for better integration with the site’s typology the architects kept the development to a maximum of two storeys.

The medina, a traditional typology in hot climates, with its typical narrow streets and optimal orientations, is a great solution for passive and effective ventilation, to render the extreme climate habitable. The architecture team conducted a detailed study for optimal natural ventilation: by the orientation of alleys, the “ventilation corridors”, and by the openings, big or small, in the surfaces of the houses.

2. Response to user requirements; spatial organisation

The architecture team aimed to designed and develop a small village with open, pedestrian-only streets and playing fields for children and teenagers, almost an internal playground of gingerbread-house elements and slides.

The houses in this village are closed to the outside; they look inwards, protecting residents from the elements, while providing privacy and ventilation. In order to create the required shaded areas with courtyards and corridors allowing wind flow, every single house is different to the others.

The main ten houses are located on the ground floor, leaving the director’s, aunts’ and guests’ houses the only structures with an upper floor.

Each common space of the houses (kitchen and living area) has an open courtyard, and they are left directly connected without any barrier. The architects’ intention was to fulfill the aspirations of the inhabitants of this village, providing them with an internal courtyard where they can continue with their traditional way of life (cooking with firewood, keeping house animals, sleeping under the stars, etc.).

Initially each of these courtyards had trees planted in it, with the intention of inviting the families to care for them and benefit from them.

Walking around the village one witnesses a sequence of spaces where daily activities go on in between courtyards and lattice walls that allow for ventilation and sun protection. Moreover, vegetation is integrated into the open spaces.

3. Purely formal aspects – massing, articulation of façades, decorative features, use of traditional motifs, etc.

The construction was made using locally available materials as well as emulating the regional architecture of narrow streets and lattices, which allow for natural ventilation. The architects also introduced some elements described as “Islamic”, such as patios, arches and lattices.

A singular addition was made to the conventional architecture: ventilation chimneys that allow for hot air inside the houses to flow up and out and to have fresh air coming into the spaces, creating a constant airflow inside the houses all day long. These chimneys can be seen from the outside as a characteristic element. The boundary walls incorporate square openings to allow for ventilation as well as to break the solidity of the

4 wall and soften the edge. The predominant colour throughout the village is kept neutral, sandy, with only the doors being coloured differently.

4. Landscaping

The architects made an effort (and succeeded) to keep the few existing trees on the site and plant new ones in the courtyards and open spaces, with an objective of encouraging the inhabitants to care for the plants and benefit from them. Due to the harsh weather the courtyard initially covered in grass could not be maintained.

C. Structure, materials, technology

1. Structural systems; in restoration projects, structural interventions

As the architecture team had a limited budget and was striving for effectiveness and simplicity, the structural works are rather simple, i.e. reinforced concrete and on-site-produced blocks.

2. Materials

Structural members: reinforced concrete Infill materials: mortar mix Renderings and finishes: plaster and cemcrete (coloured finish)

3. Construction technology

Reinforced concrete.

4. Building services, site utilities

Biodigester septic tank and generator. A few years later, photovoltaic panels were also installed.

D. Origin of:

1. Technology

The lack of technology available led the architects to build in a simple way. The construction was made emulating the traditional architecture of narrow streets and lattices that can be found in similar climatic regions, seeking natural ventilation and sun protection. Ventilation towers were experimentally placed in the areas with difficult natural ventilation.

2. Materials

Though the architects tried to support local manufacturers when possible, almost all construction materials in Djibouti needed to be imported. The main materials used were cement blocks, reinforced-concrete structure, coloured cement-based finish and pebbles in the roofs. The doors are wooden and the window frames are aluminium.

5 3. Labour force

Apart from the main contractor who was Chinese and had a team of between five and ten workers/supervisors, the rest of the labour was Djiboutian workers from around the area.

4. Professionals:

Architects: Urko Sanchez Architects: Urko Sanchez, Estrella de Andrés, Borja Arellano, John Andrew (site supervision architect) Contractors: Dji Fu Consultants: Fritz Bachlechner (project manager), Oliver Khabure (structural engineer)

V. Construction schedule and costs

A. History of project design and implementation, with dates

Commission: September 2011 Design: September 2011 – January 2012 Construction: March 2012 – November 2013 Occupancy: 2014

B. Total costs and main sources of financing

Total initial budget: 2 million USD Cost of land: Land was donated by the government Total actual cost: 1,964,389 USD

C. Comparative costs (if relevant)

The prices for construction in Djibouti range from: Lowest: 300 – 350 USD/m2 Medium: 450 – 500 USD/m2 High: 900 – 1,000 USD/m2

D. Qualitative analysis of costs (per square metre, per unit, etc.)

901 USD/m2 (note: open areas have been accounted for by half to make this calculation)

E. Maintenance costs (heating, cooling, etc.)

The electricity is free: the local government covers the cost. Since the solar panels were installed at the village recently, the produced energy also feeds back into the city micro grid. SOS-Kinderdorf has a reserved budget of around 10,000 USD for maintenance.

6 F. Ongoing costs and “life performance” of building, in terms of materials, maintenance, etc.

There is a maintenance fund set aside by the NGO and it is mainly used for the replacement of electric bulbs or for fixing broken furniture and/or doors and windows. Because up until this year the village management used the annual maintenance funds to address more important issues around the complex such as installing a larger-capacity water tank, a biodigester septic tank, solar panels and air-conditioning units, the NGO is postponing the refurbishment for the upcoming year.

VI. Technical assessment

A. Functional assessment (use)

The village is meant for SOS-Kinderdorf to run their family-strengthening programmes, to provide shelter and a safe environment for children in need around the region. As it is a medina for children, and in the local cultural context, the narrow streets open up to become squares of different sizes, where communal activities take place and a sense of community can be built – a sense that is essential in the functioning of SOS children’s villages. These open spaces are also spaces for children to play in, as cars are completely kept out of the project, with a few parking spaces at one of the entrances. With its pedestrian-only squares and narrow streets, the village is a constant place of recreation for the children residing in it.

B. Climatic performance, lighting, natural and/or mechanical ventilation, sun control, insect control, acoustics, orientation, etc.; description of systems developed and utilised

The narrow streets and their orientations are a great solution for passive and effective ventilation, to render the extreme climate habitable. The architecture team conducted a detailed study for optimal natural ventilation: by the orientation of alleys, the “ventilation corridors”, and by the openings, big or small, in the surfaces of the houses. Inspired by wind towers from traditional historical architecture, the architects created tall ventilation shafts, which they called “wind-catcher towers”: they “catch” the wind and direct it into the room, hence ensuring a refreshing airflow in the interior spaces. It was an experimental addition to the project and turned out quite efficient.

To optimise sun shading and cross-ventilation, both essential to make the climate liveable, the houses follow the same scheme but are placed in relation to one another in a well-studied manner, sometimes becoming two superimposed houses, where roofs are terraces.

So typical of medinas, these adequate distances are also a tool for keeping the privacy of each house: they participate in the clear definition between public and private spaces, which encourages residents to use the outdoors. Through a layout with optimal distances between houses, each open space becomes an integral part of the house, a private space with a strong relationship between interior and exterior.

This permeability is further strengthened by an absence of systematic doors at every opening. Given the climate and the low budget, closing all openings with doors was not necessary, as it rarely rains and the free flow of air is much needed; nor was it wanted: keeping large openings would allow organic surveillance by the SOS mothers across the village houses, and strengthen the essential relationship of every house with its private, open space. This openness also puts children in an ideal position for free play. As such, large openings are sometimes half-closed with permeable mashrabiya walls, another traditional solution for ventilation and mild visibility. The only spaces that are completely impermeable are the bedrooms.

7 C. Response to treatment of water and rainfall; discharge of water, and retention and release system(s), if any

Rainfall is so rare here that it can hardly be used. A biodigester was installed to revert clean water into the ground.

D. Environmental response; adaptation to the natural environment; adaptation to native flora and fauna

Located in the desert and in such an arid climate, native flora and fauna are rather limited. That was also the reason why the architects did their best to keep all of the existing trees in the complex untouched. Initially plants were introduced into the project with an aim of encouraging the residents to take care of them and that in a few years the plants would grow and provide much-needed shade.

E. Choice of materials, level of technology

As the working budget for the village was low, and it was situated in a very remote area with difficult access and lack of skilled labour, the architects used what was available: reinforced concrete, pre-cast cement blocks, and Cemcrete finish from South Africa. The pale, earthy-tone finish was chosen so that the complex could blend in with the surrounding landscape and reflect the light.

F. Response to, and planning for, emergency situations, i.e. natural disasters, floods, winds, fires, earthquakes, etc.

Djibouti is not an active seismic area and other than the sand winds, there are no major natural hazards in Tadjourah. In case of any fires the village management have installed easily accessible fire extinguishers. The houses’ open spaces, interconnected streets and squares make it easy for residents to evacuate from the village through the main gates.

G. Ageing and maintenance problems

The harsh weather and the limited material options when the project was constructed may be blamed for the cracks on the plastered walls, parapets and floors, as well as stains on exterior walls. That said, there are no major structural issues in the complex. The village and NGO management both agree that there is a need for selective refurbishment and repainting of the walls.

H. Design features: massing and volume, articulation of spaces, integration into the site (topography and neighbouring buildings)

Due to its fragmented massing and volume, the complex integrates almost seamlessly into its surroundings.

I. Impact of the project on the site, in terms of increased circulation or vehicular movement, changes required for infrastructure (particularly for projects in high-density areas), etc.

The village is planned for pedestrians only, with a small parking area at the main entrance.

8 J. Durability and long-term viability of the project

Although some aspects of the durability of the project are covered in other sections of this report, we should add that the SOS children’s village model is very well accepted around the globe, and this is the case with the Tadjourah one. All aspects of the Tadjourah village model – from the way it is supported and managed, to the motherly nurturing provided in it, the economic impact it has on its surroundings, its spatial setup, and the sanitary structure of the buildings – act in favour of the long-term viability of the project.

K. Ease and appropriateness of furnishings; interior design and furnishing

The furniture was not part of the architects’ brief; it was produced by the SOS Nairobi.

VII. Users

A. Description of those who use or benefit from the project (e.g. income level, socio-cultural profile, etc.)

The direct beneficiaries of the project are the orphans or children from low-income families from Tadjourah and surrounding regions. Typically ten children are under the care of a 24-hour mother in their group house. They are a cluster of ten ground-floor units and become a village run by the village’s director.

Other beneficiaries of the project are people in the surrounding neighbourhood, as the village mothers are asked to spend their food allowance funds to purchase goods from their neighbours.

B. Response to the project by clients, users, community, etc.

1. What do architectural professionals and the cultural “intelligentsia” think about the project?

The local professionals and cultural community were familiar with the project, and although many of them had not seen it in person, they all think very highly of it. Architects working in Djibouti in particular appraise the project as one of the best executed in recent decades in the country.

2. What is the popular reaction to the project?

Reaction to the project is very positive, not only in the city of Tadjourah and in Djibouti, but also from outside. The architects are constantly asked to share more information about the project with scholars, students, architects, sociologists, etc., from around the world. The project has been extensively featured in many architecture periodicals and web magazines.

3. What do neighbours and those in the immediate vicinity think about the project?

The immediate neighbours were very positive about the project and the impact it had on their neighbourhood, be it social or economic.

9 VIII. Persons involved

A. Identificationof project personnel and their roles in the project (e.g., client, architect, planner, consultant, craftsmen, etc.)

Design (concept and design development stages): • Urko Sanchez • Estrella de Andrés • Borja Arellano

Construction drawings and site supervision: • Urko Sanchez, Estrella de Andrés • John Andrew (site supervision architect) • Main contractor: Dji Fu

Project manager and client’s representative: Fritz Bachlechner

Structural engineer: Oliver Khabure

IX. Bibliography

A. List of publications

• Landscape Magazine, September 2018, China • The Green Studio Handbook, Oregon University, June 2018 • AV, February 2018, Spain • Concept, December 2017, South Korea • Community Design, October 2017, China • Casabella, October 2017, • Luel, May 2017, South Korea • Architectural Review, May 2017, UK • L’Industria delle Costruzioni, February 2017, Italy • Indian Architect & Builder, November 2016, India • Archipendium, November 2016, Germany • Boundaries, April 2016, Italy • Arquitectura y Deseño, January 2016, Spain • A+A, November 2015, China

Bekim Ramku May 2019

10

Axonometry

Ground floor

Section

Elevation The SOS children’s Village is located in the city of Tadjourah, on the coast of the Tadjourah gulf, some 180 km north of the capital city of Djibouti.

A parking space at the entrance of the village is the only place where cars are allowed in order to keep the village safe for children’s activites. Built as a medina for children, the narrow streets of the village open up to become squares of different sizes, where communal activities take place and a sense of community can be built.

The architect managed to keep the existing trees and plants. Some plants were also introduced in the complex in order to encourage residetns to take care of them and to provide additional shade. With the pedestrian-only squares and streets, the village is a constant place of recreation for the children residing in the village.

Optimal orientations of the streets are a great solution for passive and effective ventilation, to render the extreme climate habitable. Vegetation is integrated in the open spaces, while sun protection is provided around playgrounds.

The second floor houses the director, the aunt and guest houses. The houses in this village are closed to the outside; they look inwards, protecting residents from the elements, while providing privacy and ventilation.

To optimise sun shading and cross-ventilation, both essential, the houses follow the same scheme but are placed in relation to one another in a well-studied manner. Each common space of the houses (kitchen and living area) has an open courtyard and are left directly connected without any barrier.

Bedrooms are the only space which can be closed to maintain privacy. Ventilation in the houses is provided by the wind towers, inspired by traditional architecture.

Some buildings allow a terrace, when a second house is built on top of another one.