Research Description

GAC collaborated with a multi-disciplinary team as a local expert in material systems and construction technologies, contributing to the development of context-specific affordable housing typologies and comprehensive material profiles. Central to this effort was the design of Material Kits emphasizing both sustainability and feasibility, tailored to the environmental and socio-economic constraints of Rwanda’s rapidly evolving housing market.

According to the Rwanda Housing Authority, the country faces a national housing deficit of approximately 5.5 million units by 2032, with Kigali alone requiring over 300,000 new units to meet demand (RHA, 2021). While the urban affordable housing gap garners significant attention, rural areas—which still account for roughly 70% of the population—remain underserved, particularly in terms of cost-effective, durable construction solutions. GAC’s work addressed both urban density requirements and rural housing needs by proposing adaptive material strategies suited to local contexts and climate conditions.

This research-based approach is set against a backdrop of sustained national and regional growth: Rwanda's population is projected to reach 22 million by 2050, while its economy has grown at an average rate of 7.2% annually over the past decade (World Bank, 2022). Such growth places increasing pressure on land, infrastructure, and materials, making the integration of low-impact, regionally sourced building technologies both an economic and environmental imperative.