Somalia has one of the largest numbers of internal displaced persons (IDPs) in the world. Life in Somalia's refugee camps has been very dangerous and the humanitarian aid has been risky since militants continue to strike in the area. Later, the Somalian government recaptured Kismayo - a southern port city - and refocused on task of relocating IDPs from inhospitable refugee camps and into safe, inviting homes in Kismayo.
A brick manufacturer in Kismayo called Samo Solutions contacted the Toronto chapter of Architecture for Humanity for design inputs. When Architecture for Humanity Toronto first embarked on this project, researching local customs, practices and ways of living was greatly emphasized so that the best space design for the typical Somali family could be realized.
Since the weather in Somali tends to be very hot all year round, all openings were raised above in various forms (except the door openings) above the normal height, creating gaps in between the roof and the top of the wall. This way, fresh air can enter all areas of the unit, providing natural ventilation.
The porch and entrance area allow for the reception of guests who might stay the night in the adjacent men’s living space. The rooms are organized around a central courtyard, which is the shaded social heart of the house and main exterior space.
The exterior walls have minimal openings to maximize privacy, as privacy is very important in Somali culture. To let in light, the perimeter and interior walls have been designed with holes of varied size to balance privacy with light.
The kitchen is a focal point at the end of the courtyard and is mostly open to the sky to allow the cooking smoke to quickly exit the house. The courtyard and raised roof work together to encourage fresh air movement throughout the house and allow light to enter the surrounding rooms.
