Akumunigo Housing Masterplan
Kigali, Rwanda
The Akumunigo housing development has been designed to create the opportunity for the City of Kigali to promote the development of higher density housing through a three storey walk-up design.
The scheme at four times previous development densities was developed to demonstrate how housing could be designed to make use of the sloping topography, create meaningful external spaces and respect the pedestrian
The masterplan was inspired by an understanding external space in the Rwandan urban and rural context. The Urubuga or public open space is expressed in the scheme through semi-public walkways and courtyards, forming a network of external spaces that structure the development.
The apartment is organized around a dining room and balcony which become spatially continuous once the central dividing external door is folded away, functioning as the Imbuga in the air. The design therefore respects Rwandan tradition by incorporating this culturally cherished private courtyard within the layout.
