Traditional Zambian Architecture
A study of Vernacular Architecture
A study of Vernacular Architecture
For hundreds of years, people in different parts of the world have evolved their methods of building to cater for various environmental and social needs. In The Central and Eastern parts of Africa, there are various kinds of landscapes and climates that affect the way people live. The vernacular architecture clearly reflects the basic needs of the people who live in this part of the world. Temperatures range from 42F to 95F on average throughout the country, so conditions are very mild and comfortable. This means that the type of dwellings differ from each other more because of the people living in them and the use than the location and climate. 80% of the country is located on a plateau, with the different parts of it experiencing a wide range of natural features such as the Rift Valley in the North Eastern part of the country, and the Zambezi River winding its way through the North Western part of the country down to the South Eastern part of Zambia.
This house was seen along one of the local roads. Decoration has become somethingthat homeowners add on to enhance the appearance of their house, and is not asoften used to distinguish different groups of people. The owner of this house,seen here standing proudly with his wife and grandchild, decided to paint hishouse as colorful as possible, making it a popular picture taking spot.
Influences on Design
There are a number of variables that affect the types of buildings found in Zambia. Tribe, Geography, Climate and Local Materials are the four main ones that will be studied.
There are a number of variables that affect the types of buildings found in Zambia. Tribe, Geography, Climate and Local Materials are the four main ones that will be studied.
Tribe
Zambia has a total population of close to 13 million people. There are 72 ethnic groups. Though there are up to 85 different dialects spoken in Zambia, only 7 are majorly spoke, Bemba, Nyanja, Lozi, Tonga, Luvale, Lunda, and Kaonde. The major ethnic groups have specific types of design on their buildings that distinguish their tribe from another tribe. Though this trend is slowly dying down, as much of the newly urbanized population are marrying people from other tribes, there has been more of a push for a general Zambian culture, which plays a big role in the general lack of animosity between ethnic groups in the country.
Zambia has a total population of close to 13 million people. There are 72 ethnic groups. Though there are up to 85 different dialects spoken in Zambia, only 7 are majorly spoke, Bemba, Nyanja, Lozi, Tonga, Luvale, Lunda, and Kaonde. The major ethnic groups have specific types of design on their buildings that distinguish their tribe from another tribe. Though this trend is slowly dying down, as much of the newly urbanized population are marrying people from other tribes, there has been more of a push for a general Zambian culture, which plays a big role in the general lack of animosity between ethnic groups in the country.
Geography
Most of the country is located on a plateau,with the main breaks to this being the rivers and lakes that are spread acrossthe country. People who dwell near water have different types of houses from those who live higher up or in hotter parts of the country. For this project,the country has been broken into four main areas, as opposed to the regular nine provinces that it is officially divided into.
Northern Zambia is the lake region of the country, and has Lakes Bangwelu, Muru and Tanganyika. The flat landscape is broken is some places by some hilly areas, and the edge of the Great Rift Valley, which separates this part of the country from the Eastern Part of it. The Bemba, Lunda and Bisa Tribes are among the most prominent in this part of the country, and most farm and fish in the rich rivers and lakes here.
Eastern Zambia is known for the circular structures that are still prevalent, mainly because of the lower levels of penetration by missionaries, who were known for introducing square plans of buildings. The landscape is more hilly, with less precipitation than Northern Zambia. The only major body of water is Lake Kariba, which is relatively new and has not had an influence on the vernacular architecture in this part of thecountry.
Southern Zambia is lower down in elevation, and mainly flat, with the main natural feature being Victoria Falls. The Tonga, Lozi and Senje tribes are the major inhabitants. Most of the farming occurs in this part of the country, with Maize and Sugarcane being the most popular crops grown here. Hardwood is also abundant here, which plays a role in the type of structures in the area.
Western Zambia is where the Zambezi river begins, and also where a major part of the flood plain lies. As a result, the soil is sandy, and not suitable for some crops. The Lozi, known as cattleherders, are the most prominent group here, raising cattle, and logging for Zambian Teak, which was at one point sought after for its use as Railway Sleepers.
Most of the country is located on a plateau,with the main breaks to this being the rivers and lakes that are spread acrossthe country. People who dwell near water have different types of houses from those who live higher up or in hotter parts of the country. For this project,the country has been broken into four main areas, as opposed to the regular nine provinces that it is officially divided into.
Northern Zambia is the lake region of the country, and has Lakes Bangwelu, Muru and Tanganyika. The flat landscape is broken is some places by some hilly areas, and the edge of the Great Rift Valley, which separates this part of the country from the Eastern Part of it. The Bemba, Lunda and Bisa Tribes are among the most prominent in this part of the country, and most farm and fish in the rich rivers and lakes here.
Eastern Zambia is known for the circular structures that are still prevalent, mainly because of the lower levels of penetration by missionaries, who were known for introducing square plans of buildings. The landscape is more hilly, with less precipitation than Northern Zambia. The only major body of water is Lake Kariba, which is relatively new and has not had an influence on the vernacular architecture in this part of thecountry.
Southern Zambia is lower down in elevation, and mainly flat, with the main natural feature being Victoria Falls. The Tonga, Lozi and Senje tribes are the major inhabitants. Most of the farming occurs in this part of the country, with Maize and Sugarcane being the most popular crops grown here. Hardwood is also abundant here, which plays a role in the type of structures in the area.
Western Zambia is where the Zambezi river begins, and also where a major part of the flood plain lies. As a result, the soil is sandy, and not suitable for some crops. The Lozi, known as cattleherders, are the most prominent group here, raising cattle, and logging for Zambian Teak, which was at one point sought after for its use as Railway Sleepers.
Climate
Zambia’s climate is mostly tropical, with certain areas receiving less rain and thus being dry for most of the year. For much of the country, the temperature change over the year is small, which means that most of the buildings can be made simpler, with fewer key simple design features that aid in keeping or lettingout heat. The biggest challenges in terms of climate are the humidity and heavy rains.
Zambia’s climate is mostly tropical, with certain areas receiving less rain and thus being dry for most of the year. For much of the country, the temperature change over the year is small, which means that most of the buildings can be made simpler, with fewer key simple design features that aid in keeping or lettingout heat. The biggest challenges in terms of climate are the humidity and heavy rains.
Local Materials
Zambia has an abundance of natural materials that are very useful for building. The vernacular architecture makes good use of what is readily available, so that people do not have to travel too far to get building materials. In some parts of the country, proper hardwood is not easy to come by, or termite remedies are not readily available, so reeds and thatch is used instead to build dwellings.In other parts they use local soils to build bricks, and different colored sand to paint and weatherproof their buildings.
Zambia has an abundance of natural materials that are very useful for building. The vernacular architecture makes good use of what is readily available, so that people do not have to travel too far to get building materials. In some parts of the country, proper hardwood is not easy to come by, or termite remedies are not readily available, so reeds and thatch is used instead to build dwellings.In other parts they use local soils to build bricks, and different colored sand to paint and weatherproof their buildings.
Construction Materials - Wood
Wooden poles are usually used to bear the load of the roof, and to make up the roof structure itself. Termites pose a major problem when using wooden poles, which is why the trees used for building are usually very hardwoods that are more termite resistant. A variety of the eucalyptus family known as the Gum tree is used in much of the country, along with the Mopane and Mukwa trees. These trees grow locally throughout much of the country.
Y-shaped branches hold up the beam support system running around the perimeter of the building. The larger poles are places in the corners of the building, with smaller ones holding up the load along the length of each side. The diameter of the poles gets smaller the higher up in the building they are located. In some parts of the country, burning the outside of the wooden pole is believed to further
prevent termite damage.
The roof structure is made of either trusses, or beams, rafters and battens. The roof is usually built up once the walls and supporting poles are put in place, but in some situations the trusses are constructed on the ground and hoisted up ready-made. Hipped roofs are common because they are easier to construct with the local materials than gable roofs.More recently, shed roofs became more popular and are also seen commonly.Overhangs are commonly large to get the water as far away from the mud exteriorof the building as possible
Wooden poles are usually used to bear the load of the roof, and to make up the roof structure itself. Termites pose a major problem when using wooden poles, which is why the trees used for building are usually very hardwoods that are more termite resistant. A variety of the eucalyptus family known as the Gum tree is used in much of the country, along with the Mopane and Mukwa trees. These trees grow locally throughout much of the country.
Y-shaped branches hold up the beam support system running around the perimeter of the building. The larger poles are places in the corners of the building, with smaller ones holding up the load along the length of each side. The diameter of the poles gets smaller the higher up in the building they are located. In some parts of the country, burning the outside of the wooden pole is believed to further
prevent termite damage.
The roof structure is made of either trusses, or beams, rafters and battens. The roof is usually built up once the walls and supporting poles are put in place, but in some situations the trusses are constructed on the ground and hoisted up ready-made. Hipped roofs are common because they are easier to construct with the local materials than gable roofs.More recently, shed roofs became more popular and are also seen commonly.Overhangs are commonly large to get the water as far away from the mud exteriorof the building as possible
Construction Materials - Brick and Dambo
Bricks are made of a mixture of clay, sand, and sometimes straw or some other bonding agent. They are usually 4” by 6” by 12”. They vary in color from red to grey.The quality of the clay determines the strength of the brick, as does the method of drying. Weaker bricks are dried by the sun, and often do not dry all the way through. Those that are placed in a kiln to dry, sometimes for weeks,are considerably stronger. The brick walls are not commonly loadbearing, and are used as infill for most structures. There are a number of decorative brickwork patterns, as shown by the example above.
The Dambo is a shallow wetland that plays a major role in the construction process.The clay taken from here is very useful for plastering and can also act as a mortar.The grey and black colored mortar is used as a plaster, and, when it is not as readily available, as a contrasting color to the more common reddish orange plaster used on buildings. In the examples above, a small amount of the clay is mixed with water to make a type of pain that lines the lower part of the building and acts as extra protection from the water damage that would occur due to splashes of water landing near the building. Because of it’s ability to hold water and moisture, it is used on floors and interior walls as well, and when wet, acts as a natural cooler, which is a welcome feature during the hotter months of the year. This layer of plaster also helps insulate the building in the cooler months of the year.
Bricks are made of a mixture of clay, sand, and sometimes straw or some other bonding agent. They are usually 4” by 6” by 12”. They vary in color from red to grey.The quality of the clay determines the strength of the brick, as does the method of drying. Weaker bricks are dried by the sun, and often do not dry all the way through. Those that are placed in a kiln to dry, sometimes for weeks,are considerably stronger. The brick walls are not commonly loadbearing, and are used as infill for most structures. There are a number of decorative brickwork patterns, as shown by the example above.
The Dambo is a shallow wetland that plays a major role in the construction process.The clay taken from here is very useful for plastering and can also act as a mortar.The grey and black colored mortar is used as a plaster, and, when it is not as readily available, as a contrasting color to the more common reddish orange plaster used on buildings. In the examples above, a small amount of the clay is mixed with water to make a type of pain that lines the lower part of the building and acts as extra protection from the water damage that would occur due to splashes of water landing near the building. Because of it’s ability to hold water and moisture, it is used on floors and interior walls as well, and when wet, acts as a natural cooler, which is a welcome feature during the hotter months of the year. This layer of plaster also helps insulate the building in the cooler months of the year.
Construction Materials - Thatch and Bamboo
Two types of grass are used for thatching in Zambia, Elephant Grass, and Mupani grass. This roofing material is gathered at the end of the dry season, which lasts from the cooler months of May and June to the warmer months of September and November. Once all the grass is collected, it is combed through with a grass comb, which straightens out the grass, making iteasier to work with. The thatch is placed on to the roof battens in layers,starting from the bottom and working upwards to the ridge. Once the first layeris done, a second is applied, and, sometimes depending on the part of the country and how much rain is expected, a third layer is applied before it is all topped off. Thatch roofs have been known to last up to 15 years before they need to be relayerd, and if done properly, they can last a hundred years. They get very heavy after a certain number of layers.
Bamboo is grown throughout the country, and is used extensively because of it’s strength and flexibility. It is also very renewable. Bamboo can be used in construction in many ways. One common way involves it being weaved intowalls for circular buildings. Though these walls are not load bearing, they are quite strong after they have been plastered over. The roof is supported by poles placed either on the inside of the wall or some distance on the outside. These buildings are usually not as permanent or important in a housing compound as those made from mud and pole or brick.
Two types of grass are used for thatching in Zambia, Elephant Grass, and Mupani grass. This roofing material is gathered at the end of the dry season, which lasts from the cooler months of May and June to the warmer months of September and November. Once all the grass is collected, it is combed through with a grass comb, which straightens out the grass, making iteasier to work with. The thatch is placed on to the roof battens in layers,starting from the bottom and working upwards to the ridge. Once the first layeris done, a second is applied, and, sometimes depending on the part of the country and how much rain is expected, a third layer is applied before it is all topped off. Thatch roofs have been known to last up to 15 years before they need to be relayerd, and if done properly, they can last a hundred years. They get very heavy after a certain number of layers.
Bamboo is grown throughout the country, and is used extensively because of it’s strength and flexibility. It is also very renewable. Bamboo can be used in construction in many ways. One common way involves it being weaved intowalls for circular buildings. Though these walls are not load bearing, they are quite strong after they have been plastered over. The roof is supported by poles placed either on the inside of the wall or some distance on the outside. These buildings are usually not as permanent or important in a housing compound as those made from mud and pole or brick.
The Kunda Compound
Study Home
Study Home
One home that was studied was that of a certain man in the North of Zambia called Kunda Chibale. He lives in the village of Masase, in the Serenje District. Kunda is one of the highest educated people in his little village, and worked in a bigger city before moving back to the village. He built this compoundwhere he lives with his wife and seven of their nine children. The main house in the compound is his house, which can be seen in the center. The other major building is the Insaka. An insaka is a gathering and meeting place, which forms an integral part of the local lifestyle. The Insaka's are usually circular in plan and resemble Gazebo’s. They have the basic function of keeping people enclosed and away from the elements. In the Kunda Compound, the Cooking and Socializing Insaka is a large structure, which has some very interesting design elements that will be further, elaborated on in the next few pages. The area between the main house and the Insaka is where most of the guest are welcomed, and acts like a front lobby space. The children’s house is some distance away and secluded from the other buildings. The toilet, which is usually a simple pit latrine, is also placed a distance from everything else.
The Insaka has a main circular part that is used as a dining room and for social gatherings. It is roughly 15’ in diameter, and has thick walls, which help maintain a level temperature. The windows are small, to minimize on heat lossin the cold months and heat gain in the warmer months. There is a space in the center for a fire to be made. The cooking room is smaller and has a stove in the corner made of clay. The heat from this stove is transferred through the high thermal mass of the walls, and keeps much of the building warm. The wall between these two rooms has a small opening that allows for a kind of double-sided fire space, which is used to cook on one side and to keep food warm on the other. These additions can be found throughout Insakas in the country. The grain gathered from the crops that is not sold is stored in the food storage room, which has no windows, and is naturally cool on the inside. Cooked or perishable food is not kept for more than two or three days here, so much of what is stored is grain
The Image above shows the insaka, with seats outside for guests to sit on. The grey colored plaster is made from a mixture of Dambo clay and water, the variation in color is created by adding burnt ash to the mixture.Small windows, as mentioned before, keep the space cool in the Summer, and can be closed up to minimize heat loss in the winter.
This small Pigeon/Chicken coop is located next to the Insaka, and provides food for the family
The wall between the two rooms in the Insaka showing thedouble-sided firespace
The Children's house is a simple two bedroom building with some mats on the ground. The boys sleep in one compartment and the girls in another
Thisis the frame of a more temporary structure being assembled. Most likely for grain storage, this structure will have walls and a roof made from thatch. The taller strands of grass are bunched together to make a fence. In some other parts of the country, people make the walls out of woven mats, which last longer than the thatch.
