Thisispaper Community
Join today.
Enter your email address to receive the latest news on emerging art, design, lifestyle and tech from Thisispaper, delivered straight to your inbox.
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.
Instant access to new channels
The top stories curated daily
Weekly roundups of what's important
Weekly roundups of what's important
Original features and deep dives
Exclusive community features
Zuzanna Gasior
Jun 10, 2021

In the Horn of Africa, and more precisely in Tadjoura (Djibouti), Urko Sánchez Architects designed a 15-house compound for the international organisation SOS Children's Villages International.

“Our most serious challenge here: a very small plot designated with a 15-house requirement. The development was located on a site known for one of the hottest temperatures on earth” says architects.

The study of the traditional houses and the difficult climatic conditions of the territory was critical for the project of the architects, who identified the "medina" as the perfect building solution.

The compound had to meet specific requirements: first of all, it had to be a safe environment for children, where the narrow streets and squares would create a suitable area for safe play, with no cars. Secondly, its public and private open spaces had to be clearly distinguishable, so as to create a harmony between the private open spaces and the inside areas of the houses, allowing for the encouragement of outdoor activities. Lastly, lots of vegetation was required, to encourage inhabitants to take care of the grounds. The houses are similar to one another, but their layouts are different. They are in close proximity to each other, so as to create a network of alleyways that appear disordered but that, in actual fact, have been carefully studied to guarantee the best possible climatic conditions.

No items found.
Join +
We love less
but there is more.
Become a Thisispaper+ member today to unlock full access to our magazine, advanced tools, and support our work.
Travel Guides
Submission Module
Print Archive
Curated Editions
+ more
Buy now
No items found.
Zuzanna Gasior
Jun 10, 2021

In the Horn of Africa, and more precisely in Tadjoura (Djibouti), Urko Sánchez Architects designed a 15-house compound for the international organisation SOS Children's Villages International.

“Our most serious challenge here: a very small plot designated with a 15-house requirement. The development was located on a site known for one of the hottest temperatures on earth” says architects.

The study of the traditional houses and the difficult climatic conditions of the territory was critical for the project of the architects, who identified the "medina" as the perfect building solution.

The compound had to meet specific requirements: first of all, it had to be a safe environment for children, where the narrow streets and squares would create a suitable area for safe play, with no cars. Secondly, its public and private open spaces had to be clearly distinguishable, so as to create a harmony between the private open spaces and the inside areas of the houses, allowing for the encouragement of outdoor activities. Lastly, lots of vegetation was required, to encourage inhabitants to take care of the grounds. The houses are similar to one another, but their layouts are different. They are in close proximity to each other, so as to create a network of alleyways that appear disordered but that, in actual fact, have been carefully studied to guarantee the best possible climatic conditions.

Architecture
section is proudly under the patronage of:
John Pawson

Independent publications like Thisispaper rely on support by readers and companies to be sustainable.

Current patron of Architecture Section:

If you are ready to book a slot, please use the following link:
Become a Patron

Introducing OS
An intimate space which helps creative minds thrive.
Discover. Share. Embrace.
Thisispaper Shop
Shop Now
Thisispaper+Guides
Discover the most inspiring places and stories through carefully-curated travel guides.
Explore all GuidesExplore channels