FBW Urbanists + Architects

Mbweni House

Mbweni House
© Michael Mbwambo

MBWENI HOUSE

Fbw Architecten Netherlands

ENGINEERING
Gmp Consulting Engineers Ltd

MANUFACTURERS
Autodesk, Graphisoft, Hansgrohe, Hafele, Plascon, Villeroy & Boch, Abb,
Aluminco, Aqua Max, Ariston, Baldocer, Gree, Mega Panel

INTERIOR DESIGN
Electra Miles, Alexandra Papadaki

QUANTITY SURVEYOR
Daniel Mwasandube

CONTRACTORS
Hussein Zavery And Peter Miles Mega Woodcraft Products (T) Ltd

DESIGN TEAM
Antoni Folkers, Alexandra Papadaki, Belinda Van Buiten, Thierry Van Baggem, Jumanne Omar Mbaruck

LANDSCAPE
Hedy Van Winkelhof

PHOTOGRAPHS
Michael Mbwambo

AREA
296 m²

YEAR
2019

LOCATION
Dar Es-salam, Tanzania

CATEGORY
House

Text description provided by architect.

The project is situated in a former military zone on the Northern Coast of Dar es Salaam, about 30km away from the city centre.

Mbweni House
© Michael Mbwambo
Mbweni House
© Michael Mbwambo

The area has been redeveloped as an upmarket residential neighbourhood in which, according to 21st century Tanzanian fashion, Western architectural typologies have been followed by many.

This has resulted in a monotonous low density area with no particular characteristics.

Mbweni House
© Michael Mbwambo
Mbweni House
© Michael Mbwambo

The Mbweni house, on the other hand, sets itself apart from this Westernised copy-paste housing by evoking austerity in a modest, but distinct building volume.

The project also responds to its specific climatic and cultural environment through its autarchic and vernacular design. The building has been designed as a longitudinal box inside a box and is situated diagonally on a platform to ensure a long vista. It is a complete double scheme with double facades and an inverted roof over a flat roof.

Mbweni House
© Michael Mbwambo
Mbweni House
© Michael Mbwambo

The inner box of the building remains rectangular whereas the outer layer protrudes on two sides towards the garden, thus becoming a cross.

By using a double skin, the house is protected against direct sun, but the outer wall is also permeable and allows for a subdued light quality and attractive light pattern throughout the day.

Mbweni House
© Michael Mbwambo
Mbweni House
© Michael Mbwambo

The inverted roof collects rainwater in a large cistern for domestic use and a park of solar panels on the roof provide electricity and hot water. The building is kept within its footprint and the garden is complementing this by, at times, mirroring interior to exterior.

The green creates the overall backdrop of the building and an optimal microclimate is ensured as hard landscaping is minimalised and strategic vegetation acts as shading and filtering system.

Mbweni House
© Michael Mbwambo
Mbweni House
© Michael Mbwambo

Altogether, this results in a sustainable and resilient composition.

In addition to the Colonial Planters’ house inspired vernacular approach, the design also reimagines elements of the traditional Coastal Swahili House typology.

The verandas, loggias, balconies and galleries that are part of the double façade create an intermediate world between the garden and the interior.

Mbweni House
© Michael Mbwambo
Mbweni House
© Michael Mbwambo
Mbweni House
© Michael Mbwambo

They allow for an interplay between private and public, highlighting the intricate and rich threshold condition that exists within local architecture and supports the Swahili lifestyle.

For this reason, public and communal areas are located on the ground floor whereas private spaces are distributed and separated on the second floor.

All in all, the traditional Coastal Swahili House and the vernacular Colonial Planters’ house might have been the inspiration for this project and resulted in a context and climate responsive design, the translation of these age-old architecture styles are done in a contemporary fashion providing 21st century comfort and prestige.

Mbweni House
© Michael Mbwambo


Mbweni House
Site plan
Mbweni House
Ground floor plan
Mbweni House
First floor plan


Mbweni House
Section AA
Mbweni House
Section BB


Mbweni House
West elevation
Mbweni House
East elevation


Mbweni House
Detail
Mbweni House
Detail


Mbweni House
Axo
Mbweni House
Axo


Mbweni House
Diagram
Mbweni House
Diagram
Mbweni House
Diagram
Mbweni House
Diagram
Mbweni House
Diagram

FBW Urbanists + Architects
T +31 30 2540851 M +31 6 14234513
FBW Urbanists + Architects
Mauritsstraat 9, 3583 HE Utrecht, Netherlands