African Design Magazine July 2016 | Page 38

African project Casas Melhoradas – Mozambique The project features a suspended plywood ceiling containing insulation foil as well as mosquito net protected natural ventilation openings, securing comfortable indoor climate. New windows were added to the old ground floor, improving the indoor climate. A deep access gallery oriented towards the private outdoor areas give access to the two new housing units and works as a covered porch, which provide shade from the sun and shelter from the rain. Background Mozambique is located in Southeast Africa and is one of the poorest countries in the world. The capital, Maputo is characterized by urban development without effective planning, without enforcement of regulation, without appropriate infrastructure provision and urban sprawl, which cause increased infrastructure deficit, decreased mobility, loss of farmland and decreased access to employment, health and education systems. The city was developed by the Portuguese colonial rule until independence in 1975. Today Maputo has a population of more than 2.5 million with approximately 80% of the population living in slums. The city has a high population growth rate (approximately 5% annually) and expands horizontally at high pace, covering vast areas with low urban density developments with limited infrastructure provision. Click here to read more