Affordable Housing - How To Succeed

1. Stop complaining about the price of cement.  Start Digging.   
Wise civilizations have always built homes with what they have, not with what they have to obtain with difficulty.  Today's Nigeria is not a wise civilization I suppose, or we would use laterite bricks more. 
What is laterite?  The answer may be beneath your feet at the construction site.

2. Build more units than you need
Sell or rent to others, and make some money.  Be an answer to the housing crunch...Nigerians need answers.  Do you want to become an expert in affordable and sustainable building technology?  Start here. 
http://olojauk.com/article/with-n3m-15000-you-can-build-your-own-house-in-nigeria.html
http://thenationonlineng.net/building-a-functional-low-cost-house/
http://www.nairaland.com/1495068/build-red-bricks-hugely
http://www.nairaland.com/2209886/alternative-building-technique-affordable-housing
http://www.nairaland.com/1006963/affordable-low-cost-housing-option
http://www.vanguardngr.com/2012/04/affordable-housing-with-bricks-you-can-reduce-cost-by-40/
https://ng.boell.org/2015/03/03/affordable-green-housing-nigeria

Meet the experts, read their books and study their works, for example The Architecture of Renowned Master Demas Nwoko

3. Lower your running costs too
Fire NEPA/PHCN/xxDC , throw away the noisy generator (or give it to your enemy lol) and be your own solar power provider.  Also remember to build in time-tested natural ventilation and passive cooling systems from day 1, from the first drawing your architect makes.       

Thermal ventilation and Cross-ventilation

Get inspired: See more natural heating and cooling systems via snelhai's pinterest page

Ventilation Blocks

We can learn a lot about Passive Cooling from Cairo/Egypt, Yemen/Arabia, Iran/Iraq, and the Middle East in general.  Example: E.M. Okba (Cairo University) has notes on Building Design for Passive Cooling

Middle Eastern - style wind tower for ventilation

Traditional Badgir (wind-catcher) system

Apply wisdom.  Come back with a testimony. 

You may also like:  
http://upnaira.blogspot.com.ng/2015/12/still-trying-to-find-your-passion-what.html ,  
Using electric power at home ,  
http://lifelib.blogspot.com.ng/2011/01/agric-chic.html

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Work stories that you'll love

She makes footwear.  Lagos.  

+ DESIGN Each piece is carefully  designed, ensuring the physical elements of the Kene Rapu aesthetic is present in each design. We aim to produce designs featuring clean shapes and clean edges, which are very much fuss- free and always trendy. 

+ PROCESS All our footwear is produced in Nigeria,for the global community. Each slipper is carefully handcrafted by a local craftsman in Nigeria, using materials sourced from the local markets. KR Neons, our flip flop line, are also proudly made in Nigeria.

+ CULTURE There has been a resurgence in the love for afro-centric clothing and accessories. As we continually aim to promote our African heritage, we are always excited to partner with other emerging African brands with global appeal.   

 - Kene Rapu Enterprise, video via BellaNaija and Diamond TV

~

She makes apparel.  Accra.  

"On today's episode of Platinum standard, we have Aisha Ayensu, the founder and creative director of the Ghanaian fashion label Christie Brown. She tells us the stories and inspiration behind the Christie Brown label and where the journey has taken her so far."  More from NdaniTV.  More about Christie Brown. Shop the clothing.

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