Thesis Work – Project Descriptions
Project 1: Qoshe Landfill – (Sustainable Community Hub and
Waste to Energy Plant)
Site Context
The Qoshe landfill has been Addis Ababa’s main waste dumping site, raising environmental and
social issues. After the 2017 landslide tragedy, the area highlights the urgent need for safe and
sustainable waste management. Though the nearby Reppie waste-to-energy plant has introduced
large-scale solutions, the landfill itself remains underused and carries a negative stigma.
Communities that relied on waste picking are still at risk, and the local environment faces ongoing
challenges.
Project Vision
This project aims to turn Qoshe into a Sustainable Community Hub that combines infrastructure
with a focus on people. By incorporating a waste-to-energy plant along with public, ecological, and
educational functions, the site will serve as both an energy source and a community asset. The
transformation will change this place of danger and neglect into a resilient ecological park and
cultural landmark.
Key Components
- Waste-to-Energy Interface: Educational exhibits and viewing platforms to showcase and inspire
interest in waste management processes.
- Community Facilities: A training center, health clinic, and cooperative workspaces for former
waste pickers.
- Ecological Park: Terraced landscapes on stabilized landfill slopes for urban agriculture, recreation,
and restoring biodiversity.
- Memorial and Interpretation Trail: A respectful pathway to honor past victims and inform visitors
about resilience.
Architectural Relevance
This project shows how architecture can change critical infrastructure into civic spaces. It balances
sustainability, social responsibility, and cultural storytelling, offering a model for transforming waste
sites into valuable community resources.
Project 2: Jemo Condominium Area – (Affordable Housing and
Learning Hub)
Site Context
The Jemo Condominium development reflects Ethiopia’s goal to tackle housing shortages through
mass housing projects. However, it is marked by bland design, lack of identity, poor community
services, and limited spaces for social interaction. The absence of integrated facilities further leaves
residents isolated, reducing opportunities for growth and community bonding.
Project Vision
This project suggests an Affordable Housing and Learning Hub, a complex that blends affordable
housing with shared educational and community facilities. The design envisions a vertical
neighborhood model where residents can live, learn, share knowledge, and access essential
community resources. This approach redefines housing as more than a shelter, making it a driver
for empowerment and long-term social progress.
Key Components
- Affordable Housing Units: Flexible, low-cost, and energy-efficient designs suited to the Addis
context.
- Learning Hub: Classrooms, vocational workshops, libraries, and digital labs included in the
residential complex.
- Community Spaces: Shared atriums, playgrounds, and multipurpose rooms designed to promote
social interaction.
- Sustainable Design: Passive ventilation, rooftop rainwater harvesting, and locally sourced building
materials.
Architectural Relevance
This project elevates mass housing into a multi-faceted architectural prototype that combines living,
learning, and social life within a single structure. It explores new models of density, affordability, and
resilience while addressing Addis Ababa’s housing crisis with dignity and innovation.
Project 3: Megenagna Intersection – (Multimodal Transport
Terminal and Urban Public Space Integration)
Site Context
Megenagna is one of the busiest intersections in Addis Ababa, serving as a chaotic center for
transport, commerce, and social life. It handles thousands of commuters each day but faces issues
like congestion, safety hazards, and a lack of organized public amenities. Vendors and transport
users compete for limited space, leading to inefficiency and discomfort.
Project Vision
This proposal envisions a Multimodal Transport Terminal that organizes traffic flows and improves
the public space. By combining transport functions with commercial, cultural, and social areas,
Megenagna will become a civic gateway that links mobility with people’s experiences. The design
blends infrastructure with place-making, making the terminal efficient and inviting.
Key Components
- Multimodal Terminal: Organized layers for buses, taxis, and minibuses with clear pathways and
safe passenger flows.
- Public Realm: Shaded plazas, pedestrian bridges, and public atriums that serve as gathering
spots and waiting areas.
- Commercial Integration: Organized market spaces and vendor stalls built into the terminal design.
- Cultural Expression: Architectural forms inspired by Ethiopian traditional patterns, merging
heritage with modern functionality.
Architectural Relevance
This project illustrates how a transport hub can go beyond its basic function to become a civic
landmark. It combines infrastructure and architecture, addressing urban mobility challenges while
shaping public identity and cultural life in Addis Ababa.