JOREIJCK HOUSE

Type: International design Competition
Award: Finalist
Year: 2020
Site: Tanzania, East African
Client: Archstorming + Jorejick family
Physical model: Atelier PCA
Model Pictures: M. Tritto
Collaborator: E. Zetti

The Jorejick House in Tanzania is designed to accommodate a family of about fifteen people of different ages and needs.
The spontaneous arrangement of the existing volumes and their proximity to specific areas of daily use clearly reveal an instinctive sense of planning, deeply rooted in the family’s essential needs. The interpretation and understanding of certain parameters inherent to the current organization of the camp informed both the spatial composition and functional layout of the project—most notably, the use of autonomous housing units placed close to one another.

The system of independent volumes is organized around two patios: one serving the living area and the other the sleeping area.
The larger patio forms the true communal heart of the house—the space for collective activities—where a precious banana tree stands, under whose leaves the Jorejick family has long gathered to cook and eat together. Around the smaller patio are the bedrooms, each equipped with a desk to provide every family member with a personal space for reading and study.

The spatial dynamics generated by the juxtaposition of these independent volumes around the patios create varied zones of light and shadow, as well as different degrees of intimacy within the home.

The masonry is built entirely of hand-crafted raw earth bricks, made from materials and resources found on site. Both the construction system and the interior furnishings—based on Enzo Mari’s “Autoprogettazione” catalog—have been designed to align with local craftsmanship and to make optimal use of the very limited available budget.

All roof slopes are designed to channel rainwater into two large storage tanks, providing an efficient solution to the site’s water scarcity and ensuring supply for showers, bathrooms, the kitchen, and field irrigation.