Nka Foundation: Mud House Design 2014

MUD HOUSE DESIGN COMPETITION

"What is the design problem? The cause is this: in Ghana, as in other countries in West Africa, stereotypes about buildings made of earth persist because of poor construction. Earth architecture is fast giving way to modern dwellings made of cement blocks and other modern materials that are not simply expensive but thermally and acoustically problematic. From the cities to the low-income villages, use of concrete - despite its dependence on imported resources - is considered indispensable for building. The rising cost of the modern building materials manufactured from imported resources makes it very difficult for low-income families to become homeowners. Yet an excellent, cheap and local alternative called laterite, red earth, is available everywhere in Ghana."

http://www.prlog.org/12288229-ghana-nka-foundation-invites-entries-for-mud-house-design-2014-an-international-design-competition.html

http://www.nkafoundation.org/2014mudhousedesign.html