Afar Deboita – Ethiopian Vernacular Architecture 🏕️🌿
In Ethiopia’s Afar region, the nomadic Afar people craft the deboita, a flexible armature tent embodying their pastoralist lifestyle. Made from tree branches or roots and covered with mats, animal skins, or grass, the deboita is easily assembled, dismantled, and transported on camels. Permanent versions use grass, while flexible ones feature mats. This sustainable, climate-responsive design reflects the Afar’s ingenuity, yet Ethiopia’s architecture curricula often overlook such vernacular brilliance. Let’s draw inspiration from these ephemeral, adaptable structures! 🌄
APDA, Nomads.org, Rieger-Jandl (2013)
@unityarch
In Ethiopia’s Afar region, the nomadic Afar people craft the deboita, a flexible armature tent embodying their pastoralist lifestyle. Made from tree branches or roots and covered with mats, animal skins, or grass, the deboita is easily assembled, dismantled, and transported on camels. Permanent versions use grass, while flexible ones feature mats. This sustainable, climate-responsive design reflects the Afar’s ingenuity, yet Ethiopia’s architecture curricula often overlook such vernacular brilliance. Let’s draw inspiration from these ephemeral, adaptable structures! 🌄
APDA, Nomads.org, Rieger-Jandl (2013)
@unityarch
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UUAS - Architecture
The ET 302 Memorial, designed by Alebel Desta Consulting Architects and Engineers, is a finalist in the 2025 Architizer A+Awards under the Religious Buildings & Memorials category. Located in Ethiopia, this four-hectare memorial park, completed in 2025, honors…
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We’re incredibly honored to announce that Alebel Desta Architects & Engineers has won the Popular Choice Award in the Architizer A+Awards!
This global recognition means the world to us, and we extend our heartfelt thanks to everyone who voted and supported our work. Being chosen by the public among outstanding projects from around the world reaffirms our commitment to designing architecture that is thoughtful, grounded, and impactful. This award is not only a proud moment for our team but also a celebration of Ethiopian architecture on the international stage.
Thank you for being part of this journey with us!
Via Alebel Desta, ADCAE
@unityarch
This global recognition means the world to us, and we extend our heartfelt thanks to everyone who voted and supported our work. Being chosen by the public among outstanding projects from around the world reaffirms our commitment to designing architecture that is thoughtful, grounded, and impactful. This award is not only a proud moment for our team but also a celebration of Ethiopian architecture on the international stage.
Thank you for being part of this journey with us!
Via Alebel Desta, ADCAE
@unityarch
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