INNOVATION
HOUSING GREAT GREEN IDEAS A TEAM OF RECENT GRADUATES AND YOUNG AFRICAN PROFESSIONALS DESIGNED AN AWARD-WINNING ‘CLEAN GREEN HOME’ FOR UNDER R180 000. HERE’S HOW THEY DID IT. By: Zakiyah Ebrahim
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highly energy efficient house designed by a team of innovative individuals from Stellenbosch University and the University of Cape Town incorporates solar power, passive cooling, rainwater harvesting and a food garden – all at an affordable price – and that could help reduce the nation's carbon footprint. The 40sqm house, which has a net zero carbon footprint (in other words, it produces no carbon emissions), utilises renewable energy and recyclable materials for construction such as timber pallets and recycled shipping containers. It contains a kitchen, bedroom, bathroom and an office nook, which are centred around a cosy, open-space social area – reminiscent of a ‘kraal’. According to Ranald Boydell, a lecturer in sustainable development who wrote an article for the Conversation, houses currently account for about 28% of all carbon emissions worldwide. Half of this comes from energy used for heating and air-conditioning. But it is possible for houses to be built to zero-carbon standards in a cost-effective way, he said. The ‘Mahali Hub’, as it’s known, is the perfect example of this. We chatted to the group about their journey to creating this 100% habitable, self-sufficient and sustainable home. On the name ‘Team Mahali’ Mahali means ‘place’ in Swahili, founder of the team, Sharné Bloem told Science Stars. She explained that the name speaks to their passion and commitment towards a socially inclusive and environmentally regenerative future, as well as to a resilient habitat in a sustainable urban form – and within the African context. The team was formed in 2018 and comprises individuals from South Africa, the DRC, Kenya, Angola, Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Namibia and Nigeria. The team members, who have diverse professional and educational backgrounds, include Sharné Bloem (architecture & project management); Shawn Alimohammadi (social entrepreneurship); Vikash Parbhoo (architecture); Wimbayi Kadzere (architecture); Ilyaas Ravat 20
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(construction); Natheera Ravat (electrical engineering); Argon Poorun (energy consulting); Yumna Parker (urban systems); and Abiola Kehinde (mechanical engineering). On coming up with the idea “Our inspiration was drawn from a nature-inspired idea, the workings of a tree,” says Bloem. “If you consider a tree, it generates energy through its leaves; it channels rainwater to its root system; it provides shade; and it is the perfect place to gather under – especially in a sunny continent like Africa.” The same concept was considered for Mahali Hub, as it was inspired by the key elements of a tree, she added. How it works The solar photovoltaic (PV) over generates the electricity for the house, while the rainwater is harvested in storage bladders to be used in the food system, explains Bloem. The structure over and around creates passive protection from the African sun, which, in turn, creates the best indoor-outdoor living area by utilising a courtyard typology. The design took a few weeks to populate and the construction process was a tight 10 days, she says. Winning an award The team’s concept recently won first prize in the City of Cape Town and the Green Building Council South Africa's (GBCSA) design competition. The competition challenged entrants to design a net zero carbon home for under R180 000. Team Mahali achieved this by sourcing materials locally, making use of temporary foundations and upcycling many items. The home was displayed in March 2021 at Green Point Urban Park in Cape Town and the City of Cape Town’s website offers an incredible virtual tour of the space. Bloem explains that the team sought to design a creative space that was conducive for tackling the current social, environmental and economic challenges of our time, within our African context. “And we are keen to play our role in the industry going forward,” she added.
