Our Services

Environment

Birambye strives to not only minimize the environmental impact of our projects, but develop appropriate technologies to ameliorate the impact of current local practices in the following disciplines::

Architecture
Engineering
Planning

Birambye measures each type of service based on the local resources and needs of the community at hand.

Bamboo Thin-Shell Concrete Structures

Corrugated Metal Roof 3x louder than Thin-Shell Concrete Roof. Click play to hear sound

1. Thin-Shell Concrete Structures have reduced sound attenuation compared to traditional corrugated metal roofs, to the right are the sound clips from the Birambye sound study.

2. Bamboo from local resources reduces the number of trees harvested by eightcubic meters of wood for each typical Rwandan house.

3. Thin-shell concrete is approximately 1 cm thin and constructed from locally available materials, thus greatly reducing material mass and transport.

Energy systems
1. Biogas digesters provide wastewater treatment while also providing cooking gas for the kitchen.

2. Windmills will be constructed onsite with local materials, thus avoiding drawing national electric grid of Rwanda.

Water systems
1. Photovoltaic power provides for ultra-violet pasteurization of potable water, thus a zero carbon impact per gallon. 2. Rainwater catchment cisterns increase the availability of water to the average person consuming less than 20L of water per day in Rwanda

Bamboo Thin-Shell Concrete Structures
1. Organic hypar shape sheds rain and snow and is capable of holding up to 75 psf.

2. Cross gable shape with a peak at the center provides natural ventilation and cooling of the interior.

3. Rwandan craftsman weave thatch from locally grown banana reeds.

4. Thatched exterior and interior reflect the native context of Rwanda and will act as green roofs to cool each building.

Birambye Lodge
1. Registered and intent to be the first USGBC LEED-Platinum building in Africa.

2. All structures will comply with the Rwandan Environmental Law and have receive approval from the Rwanda Environment Management Authority (REMA).

3. Birambye Lodge will integrate with the local market by providing a docking area and a place to trade and sell.

Community Growth and Development
1. The profits from the Birambye Lodge will fund the continuing operations and maintenance, the management salaries and provide for the continuing education of orphans at a nearby orphanage. The lodge also provides for easy walking commute for local employees.

Transportation
1. Transportation to the site will be mainly by boat from Kibuye and therefore not contribute to the further deterioration of the current road to the site via Mugonero.