Description

Hybrid Architecture for Rural Economic Development and the Environment Client: Sarah Toumi: Association AJMI TOUMI – ACACIA for All – DREAM IN TUNISIA (Founder); Asma Mansour: Tunisian Center for Social Entrepreneurship (Founder). Cultural and Educational Development Center based on social, agricultural, artisanal, and technological innovation. Multiple use Eco Town Housing with ground floor shops and services (R+3), Coffee shop-Restaurant, Traditional Crafts Skills Workshop Guild House (rooftop multipurpose space addition), Eco Home (rooftop addition), public park with outdoor exhibitions including earth and land art exhibitions. International center for education on organic culture.

Designed

2014

Completed

2015

Technical data

Phase I
Project design developed on the principle of Hybrid Architecture combining traditional models of construction (low-high tech), local crafts and materials with parametric design and digital manufacturing. Low cost construction and materials. - The ecofriendly outside stone walls can be built by local masons. In addition to being low cost construction and material, stones are available nearby, requires no transportation. Expertise is available in the region both for construction and maintenance. - The light roof metal structure is economical and can be executed by local craftsmen. ETFE membrane are inexpensive, unaffected by UV light, atmospheric pollution and other environmental weathering. - An adjustable water repellent light linen curtain protects the adobe and the veranda. Inexpensive, light and beautiful, it let air breath trough and dries easily. Produced locally it encourages linen craft and weaving mill (from Kerkennah Island).
For phase II, see Sarah Magida Toumi Community Center:
https://worldarchitecture.org/architecture-projects/hpchg/sarah_magida_toumi_community_center-project-pages.html

Project team

Client: Sarah Toumi: Association AJMI TOUMI – ACACIA for All – DREAM IN TUNISIA (Founder); Asma Mansour: Tunisian Center for Social Entrepreneurship (Founder). Project made possible through a Research on Hybrid Habitat done in collaboration with: School of Architecture of Laval University (Québec), School of Architecture of The University Ibn Khaldoun (UIK) (Tunis), National School of Engineers (ENIT) (Tunis). Young International Chamber of Commerce (JCIT). Luxor Technology & Trade, Tunis, Tunisia. Engineer: Hatem Jamoussi: Optima Engineers (CEO). Team Philippe Barriere Collective (PB+Co): Adnen Ben Tanfous (Associate Partner), Asma Haddouk, Samir Issad, Kaouther Moussa, Bahroun Khaoula, Abbassi Ibrahim, Mahmoud Abassi, Abderrahmen Ezzine.