International competition for the development of the urban park on the north of the city Addis Abeba in Ethiopia. The project program consists of several building ensembles, outdoor facilities and gardens. The project aims to turn the tide of environmental degradation, rehabilitate damaged eco-systems and ensure sustainable use of natural resources, by serving as an example of proper environmental management for the Horn of Africa region. It envisages enabling the study of nature, promotion of sustainable use of biodiversity resources and demonstration of appropriate environmental technologies. Architecture is seen here as an element of the landscape growing to provide shelter, the design approach wants to be bioclimatic and based on an extensive use of local materials with a low embodied energy. Alluding to organic geometry and primordial building traditions, the different parts of the program are organized underneath the generous roof with different degrees of enclosure depending on the activity sheltered and the degree of accessibility to the public but with maximum openness and maximum security. Paths, Paved areas and Buildings lines traced in harmony with the nature of the landscape, defining the meeting place – Mengenagna – punctuated by a “Meeting Tree” (arbre à palabres).
- Typology
- Bureaux
- Status
- Construit
- Year of delivery
- 2012
- Client
- Addis Abeba University & Nederland's Embassy
- Constructed area
- 700 m2
