SICU (Sustainable Incremental City Unit)

SICU – The Sustainable Incremental Construction Unit is a housing solution made entirely of prefabricated elements. The solution uses locally available and locally produced building elements. It is provided as a semi-finished construction that the homeowners then complete themselves. Simple building elements and a clear construction principle using prefabricated concrete elements (foundation and columns) are combined with lightweight timber frames and readymade wall panels with integrated windows and doors.

Architects and implementation: Bauhaus-Universität Weimar, institute of experimental architecture (ifex) in collaboration with EiABC, Addis Ababa University

Project head: Prof.Dr.Ing. Dirk Donath

Location: Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Year of construction: 2013/2014 (2 units)

Construction time: Two weeks

Area: 86.00 m²

Extension space: 30.00 m²

Material: Pre-fab elements out of concrete foundations and column, Eucalyptus rips with plywood sheets, Eucalyptus frame, prefabricated, highly compressed straw panels, Light timber frames and claddings (prefab), rubber, metal sheets, compressed wood

Budget: 7,000 USD (first floor finished, ground floor incremental)

Credits: strawtec plc Germany, SIKA waterproofing materials plc Addis Ababa Ethiopia, AEE Dawit Kebede Addis Ababa

Film: Leulseged Tibebu, Yohannesg/mariam, Olaf Kammler

Musik: Ostbahnhof / Techno Mix