SOMALI NATIONAL UNIVERSITY
DESIGN STUDIO 2
COURSE OUTLINE
ABDIFATAH ABDIAZIZ MOHAMED (LECTURER)
Design Studio Course Outline: Sustainable Local Housing Solutions for Somali Settlements
IDPS
Chapter 1: Introduction
1.1 Course Objectives
• Understanding housing challenges in Somalia.
• Exploring sustainable and affordable housing solutions.
• Developing architectural design skills for low, middle, and high-income groups.
1.2 Importance of Housing Solutions in Somalia
• Addressing socio-economic disparities through housing.
• Role of architects in sustainable urban development.
Chapter 2: Contextual Background
2.1 History of Housing in Somalia
2.2 Traditional vs. Modern Housing
• Traditional Somali Aqal and its evolution.
• Impact of modernization on housing.
2.3 Housing Needs for Different Income Groups
• Low-income housing solutions.
• Middle-income housing developments.
• High-income residential projects.
2.4 Challenges in Housing Development
• Climate and environmental constraints.
• Economic and material shortages.
• Infrastructure and urban planning issues.
2.5 Urban vs. Rural Housing Typologies
• Differences in design and material usage.
• Community living patterns.
Chapter 3: Understanding Local Materials and Construction Techniques
3.1 Overview of Locally Available Building Materials
3.1.1 Earth-Based Materials
• Mud bricks and rammed earth.
3.1.2 Stone and Coral Limestone
3.1.3 Bamboo and Timber
3.1.4 Recycled and Upcycled Materials
3.2 Comparative Study of Construction Methods
3.3 Climate-Responsive Design Strategies
Chapter 4: Case Studies of Housing Projects
4.1 International Examples
4.1.1 Sustainable Housing in Kenya
4.1.2 Low-Cost Housing in India
4.2 Regional Examples
4.2.1 Ethiopian Vernacular Housing
4.2.2 Affordable Housing Projects in Rwanda
4.3 Local Examples
4.3.1 Somali Traditional Aqal vs. Contemporary Housing
4.3.2 Social Housing in Mogadishu
Chapter 5: Site Analysis and Planning Criteria
5.1 Selection of Project Sites
• Urban, Peri-Urban, and Rural sites.
5.2 Climate and Environmental Considerations
5.3 Infrastructure and Accessibility Analysis
5.4 Zoning and Land Use Considerations
Chapter 6: Design Development Process
6.1 Concept Development
6.2 Functional Zoning and Spatial Organization
6.3 Housing Typologies for Different Income Levels
6.4 Energy Efficiency and Sustainability Considerations
6.5 Structural Systems and Technical Feasibility
Chapter 7: Studio Design Implementation
7.1 Concept Sketches and Initial Design Proposals
7.2 Refinement and Material Selection
7.3 Integration of Cultural Identity in Housing Design
7.4 Digital and Physical Model Making
Chapter 8: Final Project Presentation
8.1 Submission of Design Boards and Reports
8.2 Jury Review and Feedback
8.3 Exhibition of Final Projects
8.4 Reflection and Course Evaluation
Chapter 9: Evaluation Criteria:
9.1 Site Analysis & Research (20%)
9.2 Material Innovation & Sustainability (20%)
9.3 Design Proposal & Functionality (30%)
9.4 Technical Drawings & Presentation (20%)
9.5 Participation & Engagement (10%)
This structured course will equip students with the knowledge and skills needed to develop
sustainable and affordable housing solutions tailored to Somalia’s socio-economic and
environmental context.
