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NYUMBA YA PODIUM
NYUMBA YA PODIUM
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Other Projects by MARA ASTARLOA
NYUMBA YA PODIUM
A house for the Jorejick Family_African House Design Competition
Authors: Maravillas Astarloa, Cristina de Corral, Inés Dahl, Jorge Gabaldón
The Nyumba Ya Podium (Podium House) is designed around a fundamental principle: the podium serves as the heart of the home, both structurally and functionally. Rather than being a secondary element, the podium becomes the defining feature that organizes and supports daily life. Under this premise, the podium houses a series of essential components that together shape the home’s spatial and social dynamics.
At the core of this design are the housing modules, which include a room, toilets, and an outdoor kitchen. These modules are carefully arranged around an open gathering space—an intentional void in the structure that becomes a communal meeting place centered around a tree. This void is more than just a spatial break; it serves as the social anchor of the home, reinforcing the connection between architecture and nature.
Construction Process and Materiality
The project begins with the definition of its perimeter, marking the boundaries of the site before laying the foundations for the housing modules. The foundation and podium are constructed using a mix of stones, Portland cement, and fine-textured non-calcareous earth, a material selection that ensures seamless integration with the surrounding environment. The use of these local materials not only grounds the project in its context but also reinforces sustainability and durability.
Once the foundation and podium are in place, the ceramic walls are strategically positioned to serve as both structural and spatial elements. These walls support the mono-slope roof, which is a key architectural feature that defines the home’s overall form. Within the housing modules, the walls also serve an additional function: they support a reinforced concrete perimeter beam, which in turn provides structural integrity for the wooden trusses that make up the roof. The walls also incorporate a continuous metal profile, which acts as a guiding system for the wooden-framed sliding panels that function as doors.
Transformative Living: The Role of Sliding Panels
The sliding panel doors play a crucial role in the adaptability and livability of the house. These movable panels define the relationship between interior and exterior spaces, creating a dynamic and flexible dwelling environment. At night, the panels are closed, transforming the house into a “sealed box”, offering privacy and protection. However, during the day, the panels slide open, disappearing into the structure and blurring the boundaries between indoor and outdoor spaces. This transformation allows the podium to function as an open and continuous living space, reinforcing the concept of a dwelling that is as much exterior as it is interior.
This interplay between openness and enclosure embodies the project’s core philosophy: a house should not be a rigid entity but a space that adapts to its inhabitants and surroundings. The ability to open up to the environment not only enhances ventilation and natural lighting but also fosters a deeper engagement with the landscape.
Water Management and Functional Zoning
The design also incorporates a thoughtful rainwater collection system. A continuous channel runs parallel to the house, collecting and directing rainwater into a storage tank. This feature enhances the home’s sustainability, ensuring an efficient use of natural resources in an environmentally responsive manner.
Functionally, the house is divided into two distinct zones. The back of the house, connected to the entrance ramp, toilets, and outdoor kitchen, is designated as the service area. This zone is more utilitarian, accommodating essential household functions while maintaining an efficient flow between spaces. In contrast, the front of the podium is conceived as a public and lively area, designed for social interaction, relaxation, and communal activities.
A Home of Fluid Boundaries
Ultimately, Nyumba Ya Podium is a house designed to be experienced as a continuous space, where the distinction between interior and exterior dissolves. The housing modules act as enclosed night spaces, while the areas in between remain open, adaptable, and versatile. The project challenges conventional notions of domesticity, proposing a home that is not confined by rigid walls but instead embraces openness, nature, and community.
By integrating vernacular materials, adaptive spatial configurations, and a deep sensitivity to its environment, the house redefines the relationship between architecture and habitation
Authors: Maravillas Astarloa, Cristina de Corral, Inés Dahl, Jorge Gabaldón
The Nyumba Ya Podium (Podium House) is designed around a fundamental principle: the podium serves as the heart of the home, both structurally and functionally. Rather than being a secondary element, the podium becomes the defining feature that organizes and supports daily life. Under this premise, the podium houses a series of essential components that together shape the home’s spatial and social dynamics.
At the core of this design are the housing modules, which include a room, toilets, and an outdoor kitchen. These modules are carefully arranged around an open gathering space—an intentional void in the structure that becomes a communal meeting place centered around a tree. This void is more than just a spatial break; it serves as the social anchor of the home, reinforcing the connection between architecture and nature.
Construction Process and Materiality
The project begins with the definition of its perimeter, marking the boundaries of the site before laying the foundations for the housing modules. The foundation and podium are constructed using a mix of stones, Portland cement, and fine-textured non-calcareous earth, a material selection that ensures seamless integration with the surrounding environment. The use of these local materials not only grounds the project in its context but also reinforces sustainability and durability.
Once the foundation and podium are in place, the ceramic walls are strategically positioned to serve as both structural and spatial elements. These walls support the mono-slope roof, which is a key architectural feature that defines the home’s overall form. Within the housing modules, the walls also serve an additional function: they support a reinforced concrete perimeter beam, which in turn provides structural integrity for the wooden trusses that make up the roof. The walls also incorporate a continuous metal profile, which acts as a guiding system for the wooden-framed sliding panels that function as doors.
Transformative Living: The Role of Sliding Panels
The sliding panel doors play a crucial role in the adaptability and livability of the house. These movable panels define the relationship between interior and exterior spaces, creating a dynamic and flexible dwelling environment. At night, the panels are closed, transforming the house into a “sealed box”, offering privacy and protection. However, during the day, the panels slide open, disappearing into the structure and blurring the boundaries between indoor and outdoor spaces. This transformation allows the podium to function as an open and continuous living space, reinforcing the concept of a dwelling that is as much exterior as it is interior.
This interplay between openness and enclosure embodies the project’s core philosophy: a house should not be a rigid entity but a space that adapts to its inhabitants and surroundings. The ability to open up to the environment not only enhances ventilation and natural lighting but also fosters a deeper engagement with the landscape.
Water Management and Functional Zoning
The design also incorporates a thoughtful rainwater collection system. A continuous channel runs parallel to the house, collecting and directing rainwater into a storage tank. This feature enhances the home’s sustainability, ensuring an efficient use of natural resources in an environmentally responsive manner.
Functionally, the house is divided into two distinct zones. The back of the house, connected to the entrance ramp, toilets, and outdoor kitchen, is designated as the service area. This zone is more utilitarian, accommodating essential household functions while maintaining an efficient flow between spaces. In contrast, the front of the podium is conceived as a public and lively area, designed for social interaction, relaxation, and communal activities.
A Home of Fluid Boundaries
Ultimately, Nyumba Ya Podium is a house designed to be experienced as a continuous space, where the distinction between interior and exterior dissolves. The housing modules act as enclosed night spaces, while the areas in between remain open, adaptable, and versatile. The project challenges conventional notions of domesticity, proposing a home that is not confined by rigid walls but instead embraces openness, nature, and community.
By integrating vernacular materials, adaptive spatial configurations, and a deep sensitivity to its environment, the house redefines the relationship between architecture and habitation
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