3.5.2.AMPHIBIOUS DWELLINGS, MAKOKO

3.5.2. AMPHIBIOUS DWELLINGS, AKINLABI A. AFOLAYAN, MAKOKO, NIGERIA, 2008

Figure 59: Amphibious dwelling prototype, Makoko, Nigeria (Afolayan, 2008). 80

AMPHIBIOUS CLINIC _

The amphibious building project started out as a student project by Akinlabi A. Afolayan in 2008. The project’s aim was to migrate at risk squatter dwellings in informal settlements in coastal areas into resilient floating homes. As part of the project a prototype structure was built that can function on both land and on water. Today, the completed prototype structure functions as an amphibious medical clinic that floats on the lagoon waters in Makoko, Nigeria. The objective was to find a plausible solution for an informal settlement with little open space and is exposed to frequent flooding, with the added pressures of rapid urbanization and climate change (Afolayan, 2008).

Figure 60: Amphibious dwelling butterfly roof prototype 13)..

MODULAR SYSTEM _

Figure 61: Amphibious dwelling prototypes, Makoko, Nigeria (Afolayan, 2008).

Various prototypes were built before developing a final design typology. All prototypes contained similar aspects and characteristics but had minor differences in their composition and techniques. They were made from low or no cost locally available materials, such as recycled wood from construction sites, plastic foils, used sheet metal, reeds and thatch. The dwellings are constructed on buoyant platforms equipped with rainwater collectors, purification units and dry composting toilets to ensure minimum sanitation (Afolayan, 2008).

Four different roof types were explored: a butterfly roof, a curved roof design, a pitched roof, and a shell roof design based on a modular system. The modular system allows for multiple design arrangements using the same materials, where only the construction methods may differ (Afolayan, 2008).

1.4.2

Figure 62: Amphibious dwelling master plan, Makoko, Nigeria (Afolayan, 2008). 84

AMPHIBIOUS MASTER PLAN _

Afolayan and his team further added to the project by designing a master plan which includes a strategic combination of the four different typologies. The dwellings are connected by a timber pedestrian walkway supported by columns to allow the walkway to extrude above water. The project is currently still active with the goal to complete the master plan after the necessary funding is received (Afolayan, 2008).

Aspects taken and used from the precedent include:

• Making use and reusing lightweight local materials and implementing sustainable aspects like rainwater harvesting and composting toilets. The precedent shows that sustainability can be affordable when strategically designed. • To supply more than one design typology to allow different options for homeowners. This relates to the proposed project’s aim to provide for individual infill specific to their needs. • Allow the structure to float along with a pedestrian walkway that connects dwellings to each other, not only does the walkway give a structured layout but supplies residents with quick access to their homes. The precedent shows that although the pedestrian walkway is placed as a fixed structure, homeowners still have the freedom to move their homes when needed, which embraces the fluid characteristics informal settlements contain. • Implement an amphibious master plan consisting of the different typologies that act as a starting point for incremental mitigation until the entire community reaches resilience.