Program Atelier Rwanda 2008 - 2010

Laboratory for research and projects of innovative design in Africa


scientific director
prof. Gaddo Morpurgo
Università Iuav Venezia Italy

Starting with the results of a research project that began in 1999 on themes of Design in countries of the world’s southern hemisphere, the University Iuav of Venice set fort a program with laboratories and didactic workshops that focused on problems in Columbia, Ecuador and Vietnam, bringing about an international design laboratory which is to be realised in different countries of this geographic area.
The first laboratory, Atelier Rwanda, “Laboratoire de recherche et de projets d’innovavation de design en Afrique” was constituted at the Centre d’accueil e de formation “San Marco” a Kanombe (Kigali) Rwanda, in collaboration with the Soroptimist club and Fondazione Claudio Buziol Italy.
The Atelier Rwanda focuses on the transfer of effective technology and design, for a valorization of natural materials that are available in the various regions of Africa.

Work themes 2008 - 2010

1 - Application of traditional craft techniques, like Agaseks k’uruhindu, for products with high commercial value.
One of the more interesting artisan crafts of Rwandan culture and nearby countries like Congo and Burundi use the technique of interweaving local grass leaves for the creation of objects. The particular technique of weaving, which uses long subtle blades of grass and literally sews them together, requires knowledge of the handwork and lots of time for their realization. A container, 15 cm. in depth, with its cover requires a week of dedicated work. The results are works of extraordinary craftsmanship with refined weavings that resemble precious objects rather than objects for everyday use. From these considerations, it became apparent that the work of the women who dedicate their time and skill to this artisan production could be made more remunerative and worth-while if it was given a higher commercial value. The objective of the project involves professors, students, local co-ops and the products are is commercially categorized as items of personal care and general fashion.

2- Use of banana leaves as household items and for use as building materials
The banana leaf, abundantly present throughout most tropical climates, is characterized by extremely resistant fibers, and in local traditions it is used for a wide variety of functions, from basket weaving for every day use to the construction of local huts. The objective of this project is to investigate the mechanic and physical features of this vegetable matter in order to make the best use of it as a building material while taking advantage of its aesthetic aspects to make it in to house-hold items.

3. Valorization of bamboo as a resource in the realization of household items and building materials
The oriental traditions of using bamboo has reached us transversally in many ambits. The incredible potential of this infestant plant has mechanical features for industrial usage, as well as aesthetic potential for house-hold items of all kinds, making bamboo a uniquely natural, and extremely versatile material. Most African tropical climates have this
plant in abundance, although it is currently not widely used for any specific production. The aim of this project is to transfer the necessary knowledge to work and use bamboo to local cooperatives and to enhance its technical potential for application.

4. Efficiency in transportation of goods
The uneven ground surfaces of the terrain and the lack of infrastructure for connecting long distances make private travel and transport of small quantities of merchandise one of the main problems in Africa. Currently, means for merchandise transportation are rather varied and are determined by the circumstances of what is to be transported. The research work intends to rationalize and design, through a study of available materials, devices that can make the private transportation of goods efficient, economic and agile.

5. Prefabrication of building components using dry earth for hygienic services
One of the more pressing problems in developing countries is to guarantee an acceptable standard of hygiene that limits the spread of disease. The research project proposes to examine local construction techniques that use dry earth as a main element and implement them in the construction of new types of private and public hygienic services.

6. Pumping, transportation and treatment of drinkable water
One of the determining questions in health, hygiene and subsistence of African populations is tied to the element of water. To extract, transport and store drinkable water is one of the most important and discussed project themes. Currently in Africa, such operations are mostly carried out under very poor health conditions. The goal of this project is to face such problems in reasoning on the methodologies and design of systems that can contribute, through existing technologies, to ameliorating the procedures that deal with the extraction, transport and hygiene of water.

7. Valorization of the productive capacities of the Batwa in the production of clay and ceramics
The ethnic minority of the Batwa in Rwanda, has always worked with clay. Currently their production is essentially tied to objects of every day use, from small wood-burning ovens to vases and containers of different foods. The goal of this project is to diversify and enhance the craft’s techniques through the planning of new lines of production that can open new possibilities of commercial goods.

8. Natural materials and educational games
The primary goal of this project is research and design development, making use of natural and locally available materials, such as bamboo, vegetable fibers, wood and clay to produce educational games for the numerous kindergartens that are located throughout the territory.


Operative Plan 2008 - 2010

2008
Italy
•    Commencement of research and initial project experimentation at the September workshop of San Marino, september
•    Presentation of the Atelier Rwanda program at the event of the Republic of San Marino’s national exposition for the Biennial of Architecture in Venice, november

Rwanda
•    Mission in Rwanda, april.  

2009
Italy
•    Development and research on the projects and experimentation
•    Selection of graduates for the participation of the first working internship in Rwanda, juli

Rwanda
•    Second mission in Rwanda, may
•    First participated work program in Rwanda, september

2010
Italy
•    Development and research on the projects and experimentation
•    Participated work program in Italy, Venice
•    Presentation of the Atelier Rwanda program at the exposition for the Biennial of Architecture in Venice, september.
•    Selection of graduates for the participation of the second working internship in Rwanda, juli

Rwanda
•    Second  participated work program in Rwanda