5 Fields of Sustainability
Quantum change and transferability, Written by Mark Reiner
Sustainable construction, particularly in developing nations, must consider deforestation, local labor and the unnecessary importation of building materials. Rwanda’s Environmental Law prohibits the unpermitted cutting of trees, thus making wood joists and the kilning of ceramic tiles scarce and expensive. The local building market defaults to corrugated metal roofs that require 8m3 of wood for a typical roof structure and does not provide heat regulation or noise moderation during rain. Thin-shelled concrete roofs can be built onsite from local bamboo, mosquito screen, cement and latex to provide a roofing solution to address all of these issues. BI recently returned from a site assessment to coordinate a thin-shell roofing workshop with the community in spring, 2008.
Ethical standards and social equity, Written by Kat Pecoraro
L’Esperance Orphanage does not receive enough donations for education and cannot survive without income and training for the children to leave the orphanage. The orphanage will own profits from the Birambye Lodge to invest in education, health and training for life. When the children have to leave the orphanage at age 18 they can learn to build/maintain biogas digesters, windmills, and attain skills from work experience and workshops conducted by BI or Birambye Lodge managers. Orphanage directors maintain a high standard of cleanliness, conduct, and equal treatment for all children, while conserving and protecting the environment. One of the directors will manage the Birambye Lodge using such principles with a Sustainable Policy for construction, operations, and maintenance.
Ecological quality and energy conservation, Written by Mark Reiner
Birambye Lodge will run on 100% onsite renewable energy and will treat wastewater with a biogas digester. Bamboo will be the main structure of all building elements, which grows naturally in Rwanda and renews in 4-6 years. The traditional reeds that cover the thin-shell concrete walls are harvested and weaved locally. BI is approved for this work with the Rwanda Environmental Management Agency.
Economic performance and compatibility, Written by Cate Townley
Birambye Lodge provides an opportunity for orphans to obtain an education and marketable skills while offering tourists a low-cost alternative to western-style hotels. Introducing thin-shell concrete roofing as a durable alternative to corrugated metal encourages economic growth by empowering local residents to start businesses based on a new technology that utilizes local, renewable materials.
Contextual and aesthetic impact, Written by Kat Pecoraro
Poor subsistence farmers live near the Birambye Lodge in solitary, rusty, and crumbling homes. Gardens at Birambye Lodge will be the most important center with circulation that connects the spaces in the form of loops. Experiences shared on each loop formulate a program for guests to learn about orphans they support and the renewable materials and technology as an educational tool for the orphans.