Appropriate architecture

[Abaq]

Somalia is hot and only getting hotter due to desertification. Building ugly monstrosities like the house above leads not only to eyesores but an uncomfortably hot experience for anyone forced to live in such a building. They also aren't cheap to build too with nearly all the materials imported.

It doesn't have to be that way. For those that have money, they can build using local stone (such as Kismayo limestone) in styles that are pleasing to the eye and encourage passive cooling like the house below. Notice how all the windows are small and are shaded by balconies or wide awnings. Notice bricks or concrete aren't used to build the building rather local stone with natural plastering on top

For the majority that won't be able to build using local stone, there is a very cheap alternative: mud. Mudhouses are used all over Africa as cheap housing. They are cheap and quick to build, easily repaired and very cool in the hot son. Even in Somalia, before 2000, most building were made out of mud (the old cariish). If you've ever had the fortune to visit an cariish in Somalia, you will lknow that the temperatuire inside is at least 15-20C cooler than the outside air but without the freezing feeling of AC. It really is remarkable.

 

[Abaq]

The Nubian Vault concept - The Nubian Vault

 

[CABDULWALI XASAN.]

View attachment 347789

Somalia is hot and only getting hotter due to desertification. Building ugly monstrosities like the house above leads not only to eyesores but an uncomfortably hot experience for anyone forced to live in such a building. They also aren't cheap to build too with nearly all the materials imported.

It doesn't have to be that way. For those that have money, they can build using local stone (such as Kismayo limestone) in styles that are pleasing to the eye and encourage passive cooling like the house below. Notice how all the windows are small and are shaded by balconies or wide awnings. Notice bricks or concrete aren't used to build the building rather local stone with natural plastering on top

View attachment 347790

For the majority that won't be able to build using local stone, there is a very cheap alternative: mud. Mudhouses are used all over Africa as cheap housing. They are cheap and quick to build, easily repaired and very cool in the hot son. Even in Somalia, before 2000, most building were made out of mud (the old cariish). If you've ever had the fortune to visit an cariish in Somalia, you will lknow that the temperatuire inside is at least 15-20C cooler than the outside air but without the freezing feeling of AC. It really is remarkable.

View attachment 347791

Mud houses are definitely a thing of the past / lower classes even though they do last, its a weaker version of concrete that uses binders and has to be compacted. Major con is its ugly, wont last in certain areas and its not very economical to build with.

Second option with local stone is really good though, along with the points you brought up.
I mean material dosent really matter as long as the walls are thick enough. IF you apply those heat saving principals.

I mean anything beats the first house really in design.
They just got to fix the design, it dosent even have to be good at being cool with AC. But the government should require heat saving building codes. Too bad that cant happen.