UNITY UNIVERSITY
UNITY UNIVERSITY
DEPARTMENT OF ARCHITECTURE AND URBAN
PLANNING
TOPIC- SELF-SUSTAINING HOUSEHOLDS IN THE CASE OF
“ADDIS ABABA, ETHIOPIA.”
Prepared by- Dagmawit Tsega
ID- UU79967R
Section- AR1R1 N1/12
Submission date- May 31, 2024
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CHAPTER ONE INTRODUCTION
1 Introduction to the study
1.1 Background
1.1.1 What is Sustainability?
Sustainability is a development that meets the needs of the present without
compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. It assumes
that resources are finite, and so should be used conservatively and carefully to ensure
that there is enough for future generations, without decreasing present quality of life.
A sustainable society must be socially responsible, focusing on environmental
protection and dynamic equilibrium in human and natural systems. Sustainability
comes in many forms. Amazing innovations and advances are introduced every day in
the drive towards environmentally responsible, socially sustainable, resource-efficient
structures and cities. The term "sustainability" in relation to architecture has so far
been mostly considered through the lens of building technology and its
transformations.
3 Pillars of Sustainability
Environmental protection It is
concerned with the reduction of
carbon footprints, water usage, non-
decomposable packaging, and wasteful
processes as part of a supply chain.
Social development is about treating
employees fairly and ensuring
responsible, ethical, and sustainable
treatment of employees, stakeholders, and the community in which a business
operates.
Economic development is probably the simplest form of sustainability. To be
economically sustainable, a business must be profitable and produce enough
revenues to be continued into the future.
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1.1.2 Natural Resources
Natural resources exist naturally without any human intervention. It can be renewed, replenished easily,
and some non-renewable ones, which cannot be replenished
Solar energy Wind energy
Water sources
Biomass Vegetation
1.1.3 How to Utilize the Natural Resources
Waste Management Recycling Process Reuse
Population in Addis Ababa (2021) 5,227,794
The population density is
estimated to be near 5,165
individuals per square
kilometer available
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It is a living zones where population accumulates and use lots of resources with lots of
capability to be transformed in to an efficient energy form. With the use of waste and natural
resources an energy efficient residential zone will minimize the energy wastage.
1.2 Statement of the Problem
Although our city, Addis Ababa has grown rapidly over time the techniques in which our
buildings designed and constructed will pull the growth of the city back. There are many
issues which we will have to take in to account.
These are the following: -
✓ Waste management
✓ Water conservation systems, such as rainwater collection and recycling gray water
✓ Integration to the surrounding landscape
✓ Use of renewable materials
✓ Adaptable, modular spaces made from natural materials that can be easily broken down
and repurposed or recycled
In our city, Addis Ababa there are a bunch of residential buildings beyond the main streets
which are not self-sustain in order to energy efficiency, waste management, building material
usage, integration to the landscape, building placement and water usage.
1.3 Research Question
Questions
o “How does sustainable architecture have a great influence on the economy,
aesthetic and social life of the Addis Ababa city.”
o “How does sustainable building design keep the balance of nature through
proper design.”
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Sub questions
o “What is the source of a bad smell in some places of Addis Ababa city.”
1.4 Objectives of the Research
1.4.1 General Objective
The main objective of this research is to asses and study the factors which have the
impacts on the residence in terms energy efficiency, aesthetic, social life of society and
comfort of the resident; and finally give the solution through proper sustainable building
design.
1.4.2 Specific Objectives
✓ study and make research on “what are the sources of water and how the residents
utilize it?”
✓ Know if there is another source of energy rather than electricity ✓ Identify the
building materials and finally propose reusable materials ✓ Make deep analysis
on the climate of the city.
1.5 Significance of the Research
At final stage this research will help the reader to understand and consider the alternative
solutions to Addis Ababa city residential buildings which are not self-sustain, have water and
energy wastage and have a great impact on the economy of the city and environmental crisis.
1.6 Scope of the Study
The research will focus on the finding of methods or techniques to create a self-sustain
buildings for a specific neighborhood in Addis Ababa city. Mass housing are one of the
households with a higher potential in energy consumption and Addis Ababa is one of the
most congested cities characterized with high population density implying the level of
high energy consumption.
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CHAPTER TWO
RESEARCH METHOD
2.1 Research Method
The research method is qualitative meaning it uses the methods such as observation and
pictures from the area etc. as a main source of data. The methodology for this research
specifically is a case study research methodology which helps to understand similar cases
around the world and all the major solutions undertaken.
2.1.1 Data Collection
The data collection methods allow a person to conclude an answer to the relevant question. Data can be
classified into two types, namely primary data and secondary data.
2.1.1.1 Primary Data
➢ On site observation
➢ A formal interview
➢ Taking a photograph
2.1.1.2 Secondary Data
➢ reports of standards.
➢ worldwide case studies & websites
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CHAPTER THREE
LITERATURE REVIEW
3.1 History of sustainable building design
Many of the practices and principles used in sustainable architecture are rooted in ancient
building techniques that were transformed with the rise of modern materials and mass
production in the industrial age.
But the world is now in the midst of a climate change emergency, and many of the
environmental laws that were passed in the last 50 years have been rolled back. This makes it
even more imperative for designers, architects, builders, and consumers to demand better
building practices to help combat the damage caused by one of the most polluting industries
on the planet.
Sustainability has become an important element of contemporary architecture. Environmental
standards offer guidelines for sustainable building. Responsible architects strive to meet
these standards and gain the associated certifications for their projects.
3.2 Sustainable Building Design
Energy efficiency over the entire life cycle of a building is the most important goal of
sustainable architecture. Architects use many different passive and active techniques to
reduce the energy needs of buildings and increase their ability to capture or generate their
own energy.
To minimize cost and complexity, sustainable architecture prioritizes passive systems to take
advantage of building location with incorporated architectural elements, supplementing with
renewable energy sources and then fossil fuel resources only as needed. Site analysis can be
employed to optimize use of exploit local environmental resources such as daylight and
ambient wind for heating and ventilation.
Energy use very often depends on whether the building gets its energy on-grid, or off-grid.
3.3 Characteristics of Sustainable Building Design
➢ Overall focus on reducing human impact on the environment
➢ Minimal wasteful
➢ Buildings that produce at least as much energy as they consume for a net zero effect
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➢ Water conservation systems, such as rainwater collection and recycling gray water
➢ Integration into the surrounding landscape
➢ Use of renewable materials
➢ Replacement of conventional materials like concrete with sustainable alternatives and
conventional plastics with innovative bio plastics made from algae ➢ Use of recycled
and up cycled materials
➢ Adaptable, modular spaces made from natural materials that can be easily broken down
and repurposed or recycled
➢ Tiny houses, micro apartments, and other small structures that help address the appetite
for more sustainable housing and use less land mass and energy
➢ Alternative housing solutions, such as homes and apartment buildings constructed from
recycled shipping containers
➢ Incorporation of plants and nature via living walls, tree-covered residential towers, and
green roofs to help cool existing buildings and create healthy biophilic environments for
humans
3.4 Use of Energy in Households
Ethiopia is one of the least developed countries in the world. Approximately 34%of its over
100 million inhabitants live below poverty line. A common type of renewable biofuel is
wood for cooking in households, a type of resource, that is increasingly overused and
overconsumed due to the growth of the Ethiopian population.
Primary energy is produced through the consumption of natural resources, renewable and
nonrenewable.
Therefore, Ethiopia produces its primary energy exclusively from inland resources. These
inland resources are almost entirely traditional renewable from biomass and biofuel.
3.5 Benefits of Self Sustain Household
Nowadays, many people are trying their best to be eco-friendly, energy saving,
environmentally conscientious, and trying to lean towards a healthier lifestyle. There are
many ways now to become more self-sufficient and giving the environment a break. By
being self-sufficient, you’re decreasing your dependence on the environment, but using the
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earth’s natural resources to create your own sustainability. Being self-sufficient was
originally how humankind lived for centuries, now we depend negatively on the earth’s
resources, causing an imbalance and a negative impact on the earth.
“Self-sufficiency at home needn’t be expensive but does require constant changes in one’s
habits which, whilst difficult to do initially, can ultimately be worthwhile,” comments James
Durr of homebuying company in England Property Solvers. Needless to say, establishing a
self-sufficient home means you reduce your carbon footprint and energy consumption that
have a negative impact on the environment.
You’re also living a much more financially independent and bill-free lifestyle as you’re
making your own resources. Being self-sufficient also develops and sharpens your skills,
something that you can pass on to your children by allowing them to be more independent
and practical.
3.6 Source of Renewable Energy
Solar Energy
The amount of solar energy reaching our planet each year is about 1500 times the annual
energy demand. The annual irradiation varies with the location on the earth’s surface. The
sunniest places annually receive about 2500kWh/m2 horizontal surface. This energy is also
relatively evenly distributed over the year.
According to these data Ethiopia receives the 2nd highest irradiation
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Wind Energy
The wind is driven by solar energy, and the processes responsible for this absorb
approximately 1% of the solar energy reaching the earth. For the entire earth this amounts to
100 times the world’s energy consumption. In practice, only a small fraction of this may be
exploited as a source of energy
Biomass
Biomass is biological material derived from living, or
recently living organisms. It most often refers to plants
or plant-derived materials which are specifically called
lignocellulosic biomass. As an energy source, biomass
can either be used directly via combustion to produce
heat, or indirectly after converting it to various forms of
biofuel. Conversion of biomass to biofuel can be
achieved by different methods which are broadly classified into: thermal, chemical, and
biochemical methods.
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Geothermal Energy
Geothermal energy is from thermal energy generated and
stored in the Earth. Thermal energy is the energy that
determines the temperature of matter. Earth’s geothermal
energy originates from the original formation of the planet
(20%) and from radioactive decay of minerals (80%). The
geothermal gradient, which is the difference in temperature
between the core of the planet and its surface, drives a
continuous conduction of thermal energy in the form of
heat from the core to the surface.
CHAPTER FOUR
DATA PRESENTATION
CASE STUDIES
4.1 International Case Studies
4.1.1 Beirut Terraces: By Herzog & De Meuron Beirut, Lebanon.
The project is founded on five
principles: layers and terraces, inside
and outside, vegetation, views and
privacy, light and identity. The result
is a vertically layered building
expressed by diverse sizes of slabs
which create both openness and
privacy and enable flexible living
between in- and outside. - Conscious
of energy use, the environmental engineering coupled with the integration of
vegetation into the architecture, enhance the quality of living while also
lending to the building’s sustainability. Extensive overhangs provide shadow
and reduce the solar gains of the building to a minimum. Wherever needed,
perforations mediate the levels of light and solar exposure. It is such passive
strategies that make the building a truly sustainable place to live.
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4.1.2 Harris Residence / Studio Acis
Kanhangad, India
Area :889 m² Architects: Studio Acis
Year: 2021
Experiencing architecture
strengthens one's sense of being in
the world, as it engages multiple
human senses, and essentially
becomes an extended experience of
the self. Perceiving architecture
with more than mere vision allows
a deeper sense of connection with the built space, and good design must strive
to provide this experience to the visitor. For this residence, it was key that the
planning cleared away any feeling of detachment, within or outside the
residence. With a transition of uncontrolled to controlled
landscape, a second skin encasing the house and tackling
the senses, a variety of architectural strategies help
remove any feeling of disconnection felt within the
space.
Harris Residence is a culmination of traditional concepts
with a modern outlook. From staying true to the roots by
function and incorporating modern elements to enhance
the appearance, it can be considered an all-rounder in
terms of aesthetics and functionality. With the
prominence given to reducing any feeling of detachment,
the house is built along with a grid pattern, with precise
and careful planning of spaces. Tackling not just the
visual sense but the tactile and olfactory, the residence is
one that is enhanced by its sensorial nature. And with it, the personal
connections.
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Vegetation
In addition to the second skin, the western
side is also lined with vegetation. The
greens, along with the second skin allow
the soft filtered light to enter the interiors.
The facade treatment is done based on
climate and function. There are provisions
of louvres, vertical gardens, jaali for the
purpose of privacy, aesthetics and
functionality. There is also special
consideration given to the landscaping.
Outside the second skin, there exists an
uncontrolled landscape that then transitions
into a controlle
d landscape inside the
second skin.
Exterior spaces
Interior Spaces
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4.2 Local Case Study
4.2.1 Architecture of Hoarec Botanical Garden Addis Ababa
Introduction
This broad leaf building is located at the NW periphery of AA, in gulele
botanic garden. It is a botanical research center and one of headquarter of Horn
of Africa Regional Environment Center (HOAREC). Gulele’s botanic garden
covers about 950 hectares, 4 buildings and plants for research constitute about
80 hectares (30 hectare For the building and 50 hectare. For the plants).
One of these four buildings is the research center which has the meeting hall,
research offices, library and cafeteria.
Concept/Theme of Building
The connection of the building with the environment highly expressed through
cradle-to-cradle relationship where the building supports the environment by
reducing release of toxic agents to the minimum and nature in return supplies
resources like building materials, solar energy and water.
The design considers different climate zone building characters of Ethiopia.
Building systems
Sustainability is highly introduced through cradle-to-cradle concept in which:
No toxic agents supposed to release to environment. Installation of electricity
and sanitary is fist thought to be off grid. But now LED lights are temporarily
being used due to higher cost of the designed solar panels.
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The source of the water was a spring from the higher level of the garden
connected with water reservoir found on the lower level next to the library.
Waste system – Helophyte Septic Systems incorporated to have 98% clean
water at the end. The water can be utilized for watering the garden with the
help of the pumpers.
Space usage
The organic /curved interior spaces are arranged following the generous leaf
shape of roof. Next to wooden canopy entrance comes heightened lobby with a
support of 25-30 cm diameter. The interior spaces are defied by walls made of
different building materials like wood on top concrete beam, adobe wall and
stone footing and roof structures of wood/laminated timbers. The circulation
spaces the floor is polished cement screed, while the office is bamboo parquet
finish.
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CHAPTER FIVE
DATA ANALYSIS
5.1 Analysis in the Case of Addis Ababa
2000 E.C GTZ Condominium Case at Kolfe Keranyo
Data Analysis - Energy Efficiency Evaluation
1 Unit Maximum consumption
Appliances Hours per day Watt
Injera pan 1/3 3800
Stoves 4/3 1500
Lamps 6 18
Television 8 188
Sta. dish 8 30
Refrigerator 24 75
Washing 1/7 3500
machine
Boiler 1h/d 5500
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Energy Efficiency- @ Block Level
Circulation- Linear Unit relationship:
- Two sides wall sharing
- Only 2 sides exposure to nature
Block Height
- 3rd & 4th floors difficulty of reaching ground floor
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CHAPTER SIX FINDING AND RECOMENDETION
6.1 Findings
Observation
o Domestic/Housing demand for electrical energy is higher than
other places of life.
o The more we go up to utilize the vertical space the more dependent
becomes our life on electricity
o More than Half of condominium dwellers are contributing CO to
environment by utilizing charcoal as alternative source of energy
Observation & Literature
o The chance to utilize natural renewable resources of energy get limited
as we decrease surface area of one unit’s exterior space defining
elements
o More energy demanding spaces, like kitchen & bathrooms of our
condominiums, are not given much concern to harvest renewables
Case Studies
Case studies tell that building materials constitute the major place in making a
building low energy. - Sloppy natural landscape is thereby to help with
potentials of: - generating moving air/wind that can be used for alternative
energy and collecting water to reservoirs thanks to gravitational pull.
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6.2 Recommendation
Prevention is better than curing
Before the problems related to population growth reach to the level of high
energy consumption a prevention method must be given regarding this.
Ethiopia is currently under developing country; before the problems arose
related to urban sprawl(urbanization) resources must be efficiently used.
6.3 Conclusion
Allocation of space and its defining element for alternative renewable energy
shall be a concern to sustain the future energy demand and global environment
care. The ‘vertical piling’ mass housing turns out to be not the architectural
reason for energy deficiency but the less interaction of building materials and
the spaces defined with the resource owner.
Ethiopia has the potential to create self-sustain building designs specially on
the housing sectors. If we are not using our sources efficiently starting from
now, lots of problems will arose regarding the deficiency of the resources.
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Reference
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ronan-archit ects
https://www.archdaily.com/238004/youth-center-of-qingpu-atelier-deshau
Francis D.K. Ching, ARCHITECTURE Form, Space, & Order Third Edition
Ernst and Peter Neufert Architects’ Data Third Edition
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https://www.academia.com
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