Econef Children's Center
Client: ECONEF Tanzania
Duration: Completed
Size: 650 m2
Econef Children’s Center is a collaboration with Asante Architecture & Design, Architects Without Borders, Engineers Without Borders and Econef, a Tanzanian NGO that aims to improve the standard of living for orphans in the Arusha area.
ECONEF is an independent NGO located in Jua-kali, outside Arusha in northern Tanzania. It aims to improve the standard of living for orphan children in the area. With the help of private donations ECONEF is able to offer security and everyday necessities for the children living at the Jua Kali orphanage. The new Children’s Center includes sleeping quarters for 25 and a school for 100 children in the community.
The aim of the new ECONEF Children’s Center is to reduce the orphanage’s dependency on private donations and eventually reach a self sufficient standing. To help achieve this goal the new buildings are sustainable and to a large extent maintenance free. The center produces electricity through the installation of solar panels. Systems for harvesting rainwater and natural ventilation are integrated in the building typology. Adjacent areas for livestock such as chicken, cows and vegetables are also included in the masterplan. The residues are converted to cooking gas in a low-tech biogas digester. Ultimately, the design aims to minimize the need for external building expertise and excessive transportation costs. To realize this goal, the use of local materials and traditional building techniques is prioritized.
