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3.5.2.AMPHIBIOUS DWELLINGS, MAKOKO
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3.5.2.AMPHIBIOUS DWELLINGS, AKINLABI A. AFOLAYAN, MAKOKO, NIGERIA, 2008
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 fl oating 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 fl oats on the lagoon waters in Makoko, Nigeria. The objective was to fi nd a plausible solution for an informal settlement with little open space and is exposed to frequent fl ooding, with the added pressures of rapid urbanization and climate change (Afolayan, 2008).
Figure 60: Amphibious dwelling butterfl y roof prototype, 2021. 13)..
MODULAR SYSTEM _
Various prototypes were built before developing a fi nal design typology. All prototypes contained similar aspects and characteristics but had minor diff erences 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, purifi cation units and dry composting toilets to ensure minimum sanitation (Afolayan, 2008).
Four diff erent roof types were explored: a butterfl y 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 diff er (Afolayan, 2008).
1.4.2
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 diff erent 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 aff ordable when strategically designed. • To supply more than one design typology to allow diff erent options for homeowners. This relates to the proposed project’s aim to provide for individual infi ll specifi c to their needs. • Allow the structure to fl oat 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 fi xed structure, homeowners still have the freedom to move their homes when needed, which embraces the fl uid characteristics informal settlements contain. • Implement an amphibious master plan consisting of the diff erent typologies that act as a starting point for incremental mitigation until the entire community reaches resilience.
