(Mariana Montag / CASACOR)
On a trip to rural Uganda, architect Mariana Montag came up with the idea for the Jajja House project. The house will host workshops for local women to learn how to build their own homes and reproduce them. The project , however, still looks further — it also aims to expand gender standards, encouraging the autonomy and independence of these women. The building was designed for and by the women of Kikajjo, a rural village 16 kilometers from Kampala, the country's capital. Mariana got involved in the community and spoke to its residents to learn about their needs and think of solutions that make sense in their daily lives. .
To achieve this, he decided to choose materials for the project that were obtained within a maximum of one kilometer of the construction site — a way of also bringing the strength of local culture and history to the house. The prototype was designed in modules, which can be expanded, readapted and replicated in other rural areas. In the project, the spaces were organized by pivoting panels, which determine the opening of the house to the outside. The bedrooms were sheltered under an independent roof, with pillars that connect inverted trusses and capture water for the house. The module was entirely designed and dimensioned having women as a constructive force. https://vimeo.com/412214676 Mariana Montag's project was recognized by the Beyond Bauhaus - Prototyping the Future award, which encourages social inclusion through architecture. To complete the construction of the Jajja House, the architect launched an
online fundraising campaign . The 60 thousand reais needed to The purchase of the land and construction costs have already been collected, and construction is expected to be completed in February 2021.[newsletter]
