ARCHITECTURE THAT EMPOWERS

SANCTUARY FOR DOMESTIC ABUSED AND MARITAL RAPE

VICTIMS

KHADIJA SHAFQAT

INTERNATIONAL CASE STUDY

Kwieco shelter house, Tanzania
ARCHITECTS: HOLLMÉN REUTER SANDMAN
ARCHITECTS
LOCATION: MOSHI, TANZANIA
AREA: 423.0 SQM
PROGRAM AREA SHELTER HOME

Kilimanjaro Women Information Exchange and Consulfancy Organization

(KWECO) was founded in 1987. It provides advice on legal, health, social and
economic issues to women. Violence against women is permitted by social and
cultural attitudes; the law has failed to provide adequate safeguards against
violence, nor has it been able to promote attitudes conducive to women s
enioyment of their fundamental rights In order to provide the clients of the Shelter
with a safe environment for protection and healing, the Shelter is situated in the
inner half of the plot -the design solutions are made to minimize environmental
impacts, taking into account local conditions and making use of all possible
resources large covered open air areas allow natural ventilation and free air
movement within the building, providing shade and protection from rain. Covered
outdoor spaces are used for meetings and seminars Roof windows provide daylight
to the rooms, thus minimizing the need of electrical lightning during daytime

ABOUT THE WOMEN

 The women here are from all backgrounds
 Rich/poor
 Educated/ uneducated
 Rape victims
 Domestic violence victims
 Unidentified mentally untsable They're rescued to be brought to the centre or
can check in volantarily

THE PROGRAMMES
 Associated with the Kilimanjaro Women Information
  Exchange and Consultancy Organization
 Provide the women with basic needs
 Provide social and economic guidance
 Provide medical assistance
 Provide food and accomodation
 Provide legal help

I The main , huge public green space, used usually for gatherings and public
awareness programmes the kichennette block, includes the main kitchen (where
the women themselves cook and clean), the stores as well as a toilet.
2. Inner private courtyard, for the residents to sit out, talk and unravel the central
dining area for the residents as well as the staff
3 The adminstration block, includes the offices, meeting rooms, record storage
and reception the counselling rooms
4 Semi-public courtyard, for the residents and for the fanly/visitors
5 Private rooms for the women in need of safety or shelter.
The design is well equipped with semi open areas that flow into open
courtyards or private rooms, thus maintaining a delirible transition from
private to interactive lifes of these women.

The shelter is flaked by outdoor paved seating/gathering areas on all

sides. these spaces are maintained for visitors of the women
residents or for public gatherings and awareness programmes

The design is zoned carefully to subtly seperate the private areas

(private rooms, private courtyard, bathrooms) from the counselling
rooms, public spaces and the administration block, via connecting

Semi-open passages and smaller n-between courtyards.

This particular view boasts the private rooms and the smaller more
private courtyard that is specifically used only by the rseident
women and their children
MATERIALS AND CONSTRUCTION TECH
NIQUES
The architecture of the Shelter House is designed to respect the Tanzanian
culture, climate and spatial hierarchy. Local materials, renewable energies,
local manpower and know-how are of importance, as well as participatory
planning to ensure the feeling of shared ownership among the people. Glass
tiles are made out of recycled bottles, to create ambiance and bring colorful
light into the toilets. The roof structure has an insulating layer between the
corrugated iron roof and the ceiling. In some rooms the ceiling is made of
banana leafs The doors of the Shelter have a metal frame with bamboo as
surface material. The main gate refers to a culturally important habit among
the Tanzanian women: a kanga skirt with a printed message is vvorn to
deliver a subtle message to her friends of a guest.

INFERENCE
The shelter is designed with an abundance of open spaces, green spaces,
courtyards, thus giving the building a healing feel.
The building is made entirely out low cost, local and sustainable materials
The shelter allows a certain monotony and eveness that creates a sense of
familiarity among the women as does the usage of local materials.