Amphibious dwellings in informal settlements

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    Project update 2010 - "Amphibious dwellings in informal settlements, Lagos, Nigeria": The amphibious dwellings are erected on floating platforms and built with low- or no-cost available materials.

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    Project update 2010 - "Amphibious dwellings in informal settlements, Lagos, Nigeria": The amphibious dwellings concept received much exposure after the Holcim Awards competition and with the support of his friends and colleagues; project architect Akin Afolayan successfully launched the first prototype for an amphibious dwelling in mid-2010.

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    Project update 2010 - "Amphibious dwellings in informal settlements, Lagos, Nigeria": The modularity allows for easy disassembly and shipping to the site.

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    Project update 2010 - "Amphibious dwellings in informal settlements, Lagos, Nigeria": The initial design consists of three 4m x 4m modules joined together to form a floating platform 4m wide and 16m long. The modularity allows for easy disassembly and shipping to the site, located in Lagos, Nigeria.

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    (l-r): Jury member Holger Wallbaum congratulates Holcim Awards "Next Generation" 2008 1st prize winner Akinlabi A. Afolayan

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    Project entry 2008 Africa Middle East - "Amphibious dwellings in informal settlements, Lagos, Nigeria": Amphibious dwellings enabling sustainable growth of community like Makoko: an alternative to “slum-clearance programs”.

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    Project entry 2008 Africa Middle East - "Amphibious dwellings in informal settlements, Lagos, Nigeria": Prototypes of amphibious shelter: showing just some of the possible design permutations.

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    Project entry 2008 Africa Middle East - "Amphibious dwellings in informal settlements, Lagos, Nigeria": Context: Makoko.

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    Project entry 2008 Africa Middle East - "Amphibious dwellings in informal settlements, Lagos, Nigeria": Floating platforms 1.

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    Project entry 2008 Africa Middle East - "Amphibious dwellings in informal settlements, Lagos, Nigeria": Floating platforms 2.

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    Project entry 2008 Africa Middle East - "Amphibious dwellings in informal settlements, Lagos, Nigeria": Wall panel systems.

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    Project entry 2008 Africa Middle East - "Amphibious dwellings in informal settlements, Lagos, Nigeria": Butterfly roof prototype.

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    Project entry 2008 Africa Middle East - "Amphibious dwellings in informal settlements, Lagos, Nigeria": Curved roof prototype.

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    Project entry 2008 Africa Middle East - "Amphibious dwellings in informal settlements, Lagos, Nigeria": Shell panel prototype.

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    Project entry 2008 Africa Middle East - "Amphibious dwellings in informal settlements, Lagos, Nigeria": Modular EPS panel prototype.

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    Project entry 2008 Africa Middle East - "Amphibious dwellings in informal settlements, Lagos, Nigeria": Holcim Awards "Next Generation" 1st prize 2008 Africa Middle East: Akinlabi A. Afolayan.

  • Next generation Next Generation 1st prize 2008–2009 Middle East Africa

This project is a striking concept to move squatters into floating homes on unused coastal areas closer to their source of income. A prototype structure has been completed and now functions as an amphibious medical clinic. Houses out of “found” materials, at low or no-cost, are constructed on buoyant platforms equipped with rainwater collectors, purification units and dry composting toilets.

By Akinlabi A. Afolayan - Niles Bolton Associates, Atlanta, GA, USA

Ideas: Economic & Social Empowerment, Housing Needs

Amphibious dwellings in informal settlements is a striking concept to move squatters into floating homes on unused coastal areas closer to their source of income. A prototype structure has been completed and now functions as an amphibious medical clinic. 

Houses out of “found” materials, at low or no-cost, are constructed on buoyant platforms equipped with rainwater collectors, purification units and dry composting toilets.

Amphibious dwellings in informal settlements

Project authors

  • Akinlabi A. Afolayan

    Niles Bolton Associates

    USA

Project updates

October 12, 2010 | Project Update | Lagos, Nigeria

First prototype successfully launched

A prototype structure has been completed and now functions as an amphibious medical clinic. The project will continue to grow as financial resources allow. The amphibious dwellings concept received much exposure after the Holcim Awards competition. With the support of his friends and colleagues project architect Akin Afolayan successfully launched the first prototype for an amphibious dwelling in mid-2010, which is now a functioning medical clinic/community center. A medical team volunteered to provide free medical services.

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November 13, 2008 | Holcim Awards | Marrakech, Morocco

Sustainable construction projects applauded across Africa Middle East

The winners of the second Holcim Awards for Sustainable Construction from across region Africa Middle East were announced at a ceremony in Marrakech. Total prize money of USD 270,000 was presented to eleven projects that illustrated the broad scope for applying sustainable construction approaches to the built environment across public and private architecture, urban planning, and environmental remediation.

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June 19, 2008 | Regional Jury Report – Africa Middle East | Johannesburg, South Africa

“Fresh and simple approach to a globally-present problem in urban areas” – Holcim Awards Jury

The innovative and striking idea of this project envisages moving the inhabitants of the traditional, neglected squatter settlements at the borders of the cities to floating homes on unused coastal areas. Such amphibious dwellings shall be erected on floating platforms and built with low- or no-cost available materials usually considered as trash, such as recycled wood from construction sites, plastic foils, used sheet metal, reeds and thatch. In order to assure minimum sanitation, the dwellings will be equipped with rainwater catchment, purification units, and dry compost toilets. 

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February 29, 2008 | Project Entry & Details | Lagos, Nigeria

Project Entry 2008 for Africa Middle East

Amphibious dwellings in informal settlements is a striking concept to move squatters into floating homes on unused coastal areas closer to their source of income. Houses out of “found” materials, at low or no-cost, are constructed on buoyant platforms. Dwellings are equipped with rainwater collectors, purification units and dry composting toilets to assure minimum sanitation.

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Related information

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Location

pin Lagos, Nigeria

Lagos, Nigeria