studio Mwenge
studio Mwenge
global perspectives edition 2O20 all editions
Parallel design studio Hasselt University (BE) – Ardhi University (TZ)
Located next to Bagamoyo Road, one of Dar’s main arteries towards the CBD, Mwenge is on the threshold of an extremely rapid urbanization process.
Starting from scenario-thinking, team Mwenge sketches a positive future for this city quarter, crystalized in a series of acupunctural interventions. Highlighting Mwenge’s present qualities, adding new programmes and typologies, students search for an architecture that is connective and creates publicness for all, where projects are regenerative and distributive.
THE GARDEN MOMENTS
Mirte ClerixA lively green community as a connection between people and streets
The Garden moments proposes a new collective housing typology building upon moments of social interaction and belonging.
keywords: densification oasis liveliness green community intimacy connectivity social housing history
The Garden moments proposes a new collective housing typology building upon moments of social interaction and belonging.
keywords: densification oasis liveliness green community intimacy connectivity social housing history
CINEMA KAHAWA
Ruben Van DesselMoving people with moving images
An urban hotspot for film and encounter, initiated and run by a group of entrepreneurial friends, marks the creativity of a new generation.
Keywords: urban film publicness informal creative community revive social interaction liveliness
An urban hotspot for film and encounter, initiated and run by a group of entrepreneurial friends, marks the creativity of a new generation.
Keywords: urban film publicness informal creative community revive social interaction liveliness
MADE IN MWENGE
Pauline BorremansCarving out a wood center
The wood center becomes the heart of the relocated woodcarvers market and preserves a place of tradition and craftmenship in the center of this urban centrality
Keywords: woodcarvers tradition identity craftsmanship productivity urban oasis
The wood center becomes the heart of the relocated woodcarvers market and preserves a place of tradition and craftmenship in the center of this urban centrality
Keywords: woodcarvers tradition identity craftsmanship productivity urban oasis
more Garden Moments
The inner area of Mwenge has the potential for a qualitative densification. There is a need for a new housing typology for living in a calm, suburban area.
The Garden Moments proposes design principles for an upgraded residential area. It will serve as a connection between the streets of Mwenge. A second, intimate circulation is created through permeable street blocks with green pockets.
The project aims to give Mwenge a lively community feeling. By incorporating the liveliness and green atmosphere, the building block becomes a safe oasis for children to play, for elderly to rest and for people to meet. Social interaction is strengthened by commercial and communal spaces and by small moments to connect to each other.
The relative orientation and form of the buildings create spatial moments of intimacy, connectivity and greeneryon all levels, whether it is from a living room, a front yard, a passageway or shared garden. A differentiation in materials, setbacks, etc. and the ability for personalisation of the inhabitants, with a close connection to existing architectural features, creates unique experiences throughout the whole project.
These qualitative moments of space become the building blocks of the project, composing a medium-density vision of future inner Mwenge, linked with its history of inclusive social housing.
The Garden Moments proposes design principles for an upgraded residential area. It will serve as a connection between the streets of Mwenge. A second, intimate circulation is created through permeable street blocks with green pockets.
The project aims to give Mwenge a lively community feeling. By incorporating the liveliness and green atmosphere, the building block becomes a safe oasis for children to play, for elderly to rest and for people to meet. Social interaction is strengthened by commercial and communal spaces and by small moments to connect to each other.
The relative orientation and form of the buildings create spatial moments of intimacy, connectivity and greeneryon all levels, whether it is from a living room, a front yard, a passageway or shared garden. A differentiation in materials, setbacks, etc. and the ability for personalisation of the inhabitants, with a close connection to existing architectural features, creates unique experiences throughout the whole project.
These qualitative moments of space become the building blocks of the project, composing a medium-density vision of future inner Mwenge, linked with its history of inclusive social housing.
more Cinema Kahawa
One of Tanzania’s most thriving industries today is the film business. Often referred to as ‘Swahiliwood’, the Tanzanian film culture and industry mainly revolves around low-budget productions made with cheap and straightforward equipment; and just like in other parts of the world, Tanzanians love to watch movies together, be it in a theatre or at home. However, beyond this, film as an artistic and technical passion has the potential to provide the city with a unique approach towards sharing and community-building through filmmaking and -experiencing. The project ‘Cinema Kahawa’ at the edge of Mwenge aims to capitalize on this potential through active, artistic activities surrounding film, fueled by engaged local filmmakers and entrepreneurs. The project houses an indoor cinema, which is (partly) located underground in order to preserve more qualitative space for other functions, such as the outdoor cinema and multiple (co-)workspaces aimed at local passionate filmmakers and -lovers. A place where ideas can be shared, evaluated and improved upon so that they are ready to share with the Tanzania of tomorrow. The spatial layout results in an interesting series of informal meeting and working spaces for everyone. This informality is also supported by the different uses of brickwork on the exterior and interior, which blur the line between indoor and outdoor atmospheres. On top of this, Cinema Kahawa’s creators initiated a co-housing environment for kindred individuals, adding to the urban free-mindedness of the project. Now more than ever, film, both as an artistic and technical passion, has the potential to revive urban dynamic social interaction in a unique way.
more Carving out a wood center
Across the world, globalization and standardization define our cities. As a result, local craftsmanship and skills are disappearing rapidly from the urban streetscape. Can the Makonde woodcarvers go against the current and preserve a place of tradition and identity in future Mwenge?
The woodcarvers market is relocated to inner Mwenge, on the border between the commercial zone, the green belt and Bagamoyo Road. It is transformed into a wood center, a place for wood crafts, technology and design. The building connects different urban flows, as it is encircled by 5 different streets. It is bound to serve and connect several communities: tourists, craftsmen, entrepreneurs and neighborhood residents.The center starts from a rammed earth base in which a flexible wooden structure is rooted. The earth walls embrace the courtyard and frame an oasis of proud craftsmanship focused on a promising future for the wood industry in Tanzania.
Combined with the related commercial activities in the street, Made in Mwenge brings the craftsmanship of the Makonde woodcarvers to the green ribbon and celebrates it as a part of the urban identity.
The woodcarvers market is relocated to inner Mwenge, on the border between the commercial zone, the green belt and Bagamoyo Road. It is transformed into a wood center, a place for wood crafts, technology and design. The building connects different urban flows, as it is encircled by 5 different streets. It is bound to serve and connect several communities: tourists, craftsmen, entrepreneurs and neighborhood residents.The center starts from a rammed earth base in which a flexible wooden structure is rooted. The earth walls embrace the courtyard and frame an oasis of proud craftsmanship focused on a promising future for the wood industry in Tanzania.
Combined with the related commercial activities in the street, Made in Mwenge brings the craftsmanship of the Makonde woodcarvers to the green ribbon and celebrates it as a part of the urban identity.
2020 garden moments.pptx2020 cinema kahawa.pptx2020 made in mwenge.pptxoverview 2020 studio mwenge.pptxteam
studio coordinators Hasselt University: arch. Peggy Winkels, arch. Ken De Cooman
studio team Ardhi University: dr. Daniel Mbisso, dr. Shubira Kalugila, arch. Yvonne Matinyi, landscape architect Atugonza Sarah Majula
related research teams: Arck Sustainability Research team, prof. dr. ir. arch. Griet VerbeeckArck Trace, Adaptive Reuse, dr. int. arch. Bie Plevoets, prof. ir. arch. Nicolaas Vande Keere, int. arch. Linde Van Den Bosch
advisory team: prof. dr. arch. Els Hannes, arch. Godfrey Ayubu, arch. Bregt Hoppenbrouwers
studio team Ardhi University: dr. Daniel Mbisso, dr. Shubira Kalugila, arch. Yvonne Matinyi, landscape architect Atugonza Sarah Majula
related research teams: Arck Sustainability Research team, prof. dr. ir. arch. Griet VerbeeckArck Trace, Adaptive Reuse, dr. int. arch. Bie Plevoets, prof. ir. arch. Nicolaas Vande Keere, int. arch. Linde Van Den Bosch
advisory team: prof. dr. arch. Els Hannes, arch. Godfrey Ayubu, arch. Bregt Hoppenbrouwers