AENKI ARCHITECTURE PLC
BERLIN + ADDIS ABABA
SHEKA COFFEE FARM
This project aims to revitalize an existing coffee farm situated in the original forest of Sheka, Ethiopia. The client sought assistance in updating the farm layout to facilitate expansion and modernization of coffee processing. Additionally, the project addresses various sustainability aspects, including improvements to worker housing, water conservation in coffee processing, and income diversification for the local community.
Modern Coffee Processing Facility: The heart of the project is the modern coffee processing and experimental station. The facility incorporates state-of-the-art processing equipment to improve efficiency and product quality. It follows eco-friendly practices to minimize environmental impact while ensuring the preservation of the original forest's delicate ecosystem.
To enhance the living conditions of the workers on the farm, the deteriorating structures are renovated by adding additional layers of clay to strengthen and insulate the houses as well as additional outdoor spaces to increase the living space by low cost materials like water proof recycled lorry fabrics. This helps create a comfortable and conducive environment for the workers and their families, promoting overall well-being and productivity.
Greywater Restoration: To protect the local river and the surrounding environment from pollution, the project introduces filtering fields. These fields act as natural filters to cleanse and restore the greywater generated during the coffee processing operations before it is discharged back into the river. This initiative promotes sustainability and ecological balance. The farm also provides accommodation for visiting clients, researchers, and enthusiasts interested in experiencing the coffee processing journey firsthand. The client housing units are designed to blend harmoniously with the natural surroundings, offering a serene and immersive experience. Central to the visitors area is the Coffee Tasting Laboratory and Learning Center. This space allows international clients to cup and taste various coffee varieties produced on the farm. The learning center offers insights into local coffee processing techniques, the environment, and the community's cultural heritage. The project strives to create additional income opportunities for the workers and the local community. One such initiative is the establishment of a bee farming operation. Beekeeping complements coffee farming, provides a sustainable source of income, and supports biodiversity conservation through pollination services. This undertaking fosters a deep connection between clients and the farm's fragile environment, its people, and the rich coffee processing heritage of the region.
HEVEN HOUSE, TORONTO, CA ( 2012 COMPETITION) - WITH ADIAM SERTZU
Heven house is located about an hour car drive from Toronto, Canada. The house is designed for a family that wanted to build a live and work space in the countryside away from the noisy city centre. It is primarily a weekend retreat for family and friends yet the space allows for a permanent residence during quiet working periods. The project developed from the idea of a continuous space, with an 360-degree visual exchange between the interior and the exterior landscape. At its core lies an internal patio, safe for children and protected from the harsh winter winds. the entire circulation is wrapped around it to allow as much light and air into the building core as possible. this circulation space also works as a climatic buffer zone, between the actual living rooms and the open interior. Two opposing entrances allow for the separation of the private family use and the more public office area. Delivering and collecting goods is possible at an elevated loading dock at the ground level. The house is wrapped in a wooden vertical cladding pattern, a material and geometry that blends into the high-rise birch woods surrounding and camouflaging it. Preliminary Design Team: Adiam Sertzu, Julia Mauser
COFFEE PROCESSING STATION IN YIRGACHEFE
Yirgacheffe is known for producing high-quality coffee beans with distinct flavors, and the facility aims to enhance the region's reputation by ensuring the careful handling of beans from harvest to export. The facility is strategically situated right at the entrance to the city of Yirgacheffe to minimize transportation time from coffee farms to the processing center. This location allows for easy access to water sources, electricity, and transportation routes. As clients also pass by frequently, the client asked to update the facility, enhance the landscaping on the facility and introduce some colour to the drying areas (with Lelida Landscaping inc.)
Greywater Restoration: To protect the local river and the surrounding environment from pollution, the project introduces filtering fields. These fields act as natural filters to cleanse and restore the greywater generated during the coffee processing operations before it is discharged back into the river. This initiative promotes sustainability and ecological balance. The farm also provides accommodation for visiting clients, researchers, and enthusiasts interested in experiencing the coffee processing journey firsthand. The client housing units are designed to blend harmoniously with the natural surroundings, offering a serene and immersive experience. Central to the visitors area is the Coffee Tasting Laboratory and Learning Center. This space allows international clients to cup and taste various coffee varieties produced on the farm. The learning center offers insights into local coffee processing techniques, the environment, and the community's cultural heritage. The project strives to create additional income opportunities for the workers and the local community. One such initiative is the establishment of a bee farming operation. Beekeeping complements coffee farming, provides a sustainable source of income, and supports biodiversity conservation through pollination services. This undertaking fosters a deep connection between clients and the farm's fragile environment, its people, and the rich coffee processing heritage of the region.
RETREAT FOR ARTISTS JAMBIANI BEACH, ZANZIBAR, TZ (2021-UNDER CONSTRUCTION)
The Jambiani Artist Retreat is a unique architectural gem that blends seamlessly with its lush surroundings, offering three distinct apartments to provide artists and nature lovers with a serene and inspiring living experience. Nestled between abundant coconut trees and infused with the invigorating sea breeze, the retreat creates an intimate connection with nature while providing an idyllic space for creativity and artistic expression. The architectural design is centered around preserving the natural beauty of the site. The retreat is low-rise and incorporates local, sustainable materials like coral stone, thatch, and wood, to harmonize with the traditional Zanzibari architecture. The buildings are carefully positioned amidst the coconut grove, minimizing the impact on the surrounding environment while maximizing the view of the forest. Lush Garden Living: A beautiful, wild garden envelops the retreat, creating a lush and calming atmosphere. The garden features a wide variety of vibrant tropical plants, flowers, and local fruit trees, enhancing the visual appeal and providing a constant source of inspiration. Each apartment has a private terrace or balcony that opens up to the garden, encouraging the artists to spend time outdoors and connect with nature. The three artist apartments are designed to cater to the individual needs and preferences of the occupants while maintaining a cohesive architectural style. Each apartment is spacious and open, utilizing large windows and sliding glass doors to merge the interior with the exterior. This design element allows natural light to flood the living spaces, creating a sense of being surrounded by the forest even when inside. The orientation of each apartment is carefully planned to maximize the picturesque views of the surrounding forest. Large floor-to-ceiling windows frame these views like living paintings, blurring the boundaries between the indoors and outdoors. Moreover, from the rooftop terraces - a shared space- the artists can enjoy breathtaking panoramas of the Indian Ocean, providing a constant reminder of the proximity to the sea. Environmental sustainability is an integral part of the design. The retreat incorporates rainwater harvesting systems, solar panels for renewable energy, and passive cooling techniques to reduce energy consumption. Local materials and construction techniques are used to minimize the carbon footprint of the project, promoting eco-friendly living. The Jambiani Artist Retreat aims to provide a haven where artists can immerse themselves in nature, embrace the sea breeze, and find artistic inspiration amidst the lush garden and surrounding forest. This architectural design allows artists to create, rejuvenate, and connect with their surroundings, fostering a harmonious relationship between art and nature.
BAVARIAN BARN - THE 24 HOUR PARTY ROOM (2012)
This project is located within the extents of the bavarian Alps, a hilly landscape formed during the previous ice epoch. The barn is located on the tip of this landscape in a small farmers village; the conversion is planned to allow a second family to move from the city to this stunning landscape. Most of the existing structural system is kept to its full extend to save costs and additional materials. The interior space is divided into three corridors, whereas the central one will be kept at its full length without any walls. Formally used for storing large farming machinery, the double height space is accessed through two large sliding doors, which will be reinstalled. both lateral corridors will provide sleeping, working and guest rooms, on the elevated ground floor and a second level, partly already in existence for storing old tools and farmers machinery. The elongated interior corridor is the common area, it is the place to celebrate from sunset to sunrise, the living corner bounded by two large scale windows facing east and west.
