The Manifesto
Universal principles of climate responsive design arising from experience in East Africa
Involve project stakeholders in every stage of the design and construction process for low-carbon, long-lasting buildings that effectively fulfil the needs of users.
Support local labour and develop local skills
Leverage the construction process to build local capacity and provide training and work opportunities for the local community.
Grow or salvage local materials
Use local materials with low embodied carbon, which are preferably grown or recycled such as responsibly sourced timber from managed plantations.
Design with climate not against it
Utilise passive ventilation strategies, natural daylighting and energy from the sun, but protect from solar overheating and glare.
Nurture the local eco-system
Biodiverse natural landscapes promote health and wellbeing, provide climatic cooling and mitigation against the effects of extreme weather events.
Produce clean on-site energy
On-site renewable energy generation can cover or supplement energy requirements and help to offset embodied carbon in the building fabric.
Use sustainable water sources
Recycle grey water and harvest and store rainwater for reuse on site, and to help prevent flooding and erosion.
Provide water, sanitation and hygiene facilities
Ensure healthy disposal and recycling of human waste, as well as adequate hand washing facilities and clean filtered water for human consumption.
Share knowledge and experience
Designers, builders and building users should work together to combat climate change and learn from successes and failures.
Avoid the pitfalls of the industrialised world
Developing countries can leapfrog the industrialised world through constructing passive buildings and investing in clean energy and smart Low and Zero Carbon (LZC) technologies.