Italian Architect’s ‘warka village’ in Cameroon Rainforest

Warka water, the non-profit organization led by Italian architect Arturo Vittori, has built an integrated village in Cameroon. The project, which is expected to complete in 2022, is already operative with around 30 people, including both workers and pygmy peoples — hunter-gatherers of the tropical rainforest — living on site. Called the ‘warka village’, the ambitious development builds on Arturo Vittori previous work in the area, which saw him awarded THE DESIGN PRIZE 2019 in the category of ‘Social Impact’. ‘This is a project for an integrated village constructed only by using local and natural materials and ancient local construction techniques. Arturo Vittori said. “We are using earth, water, stone, wood and natural fibers. the ‘warka village’ aspires to transform the landscape of comprehensive human development, utilizing low-cost, sustainable, community-driven, high-impact multi-sector development interventions that are tailored to the village’s specific needs.” The project, which has been under construction in the Congo basin for 18 months — the largest tropical rainforest in the world — will eventually form a community for local artisans, serving as an example of how to live with nature. the village comprises seven ‘warka houses’ inspired by the region’s vernacular dwellings; two ‘warka towers’ designed to collect and harvest potable water from the air; ‘warka santiation’ composting toilets that operate without flushing water; a ‘warka pavilion’; and a modular edible ‘warka garden’ that provides food for residents. Made from bamboo and other natural materials, the seven ‘warka houses’ reference ancient local traditions, while offering a higher standard of hygiene and comfort for the villagers of such rural communities.