Maseru Housing

PROJECT BACKGROUND

A United Nations Report on the Kingdom of Lesotho done in 2016 revealed two opportunities within the country and its Capital. Firstly it recognised the backlog in economic housing provision. It highlighted the fact that many Lesotho people could in fact access mortgage facilities provided that properties developed be done so in a very
cost-effective manner. Secondly, it showed the need for the city of Maseru to expand with density and not with urban sprawl as current settlement patterns indicate.

PROJECT DESCRIPTION

Vitruvius Consulting Engineers and Fourie | Architecture + Urban Design was approached to develop a Master Plan that would allow for all the above requirements. The design focused on local building materials and methods. It also respects the many Arabic architectural influences found on the island’s architecture while integrating these in simple modern ways. An Urban Design responding to the topography and location of the site and sight-lines from all round was developed. It focussed on creating low-rise courtyard buildings for apartments also called “Haciendas”. This would allow maximum sea views from communal spaces. Higher density apartments were placed on the back of the site to allow for apartment sea views over the entire development. The hotel was placed on the central beach since it would accommodate amenities for the entire resort. On the Main Road, the Urban Design focusses on creating great retail lined Mixed-Use street complete with open markets and facilities that cater not only to the resort but also to the surrounding areas.

The design also includes various green features like:
Solar harvesting
Alternative Sewer Treatment in the form of Package Plants