Mudhouse

Mudhouse is a study in balance. This project reimagines the contemporary mudhouse as both a tribute to tradition and a push toward innovation. Set in the rural village of Abetenim, Ghana, the house challenges prevailing notions of vernacular architecture by exploring how earth-based construction can evolve.

Schedule

location: Abetenim, Ghana
type: cast-earth house
collaborators: Christopher Tomasetti, Jean Gu, Angela Yang
general contractor: Abu
mason: Odas
carpenter: Agyengo

Our design draws from the spatial logic of traditional Ashanti courtyard homes, while proposing a fresh interpretation of mud construction. At its core are ten load-bearing walls, formed from poured cast earth, a modern technique that echoes concrete in its strength and application. The flexibility of this method allows us to experiment with form, using bamboo and corrugated metal as reusable formwork. Once the walls are complete, these materials will be repurposed for the roof structure and landscape features, reinforcing a cyclical and resourceful design ethos.

Rooted in its environment, both culturally and ecologically, Mudhouse invites change while honoring place. Local tradesmen within the village provided the labor, materials, and craftsmanship to make this project possible.

Figures

Mudhouse, the house from the approach — fig. 02 · the house from the approach

Mudhouse, the house on its hillside plot — fig. 03 · the house on its hillside plot

Mudhouse, forecourt, with the outdoor stair at right — fig. 04 · forecourt, with the outdoor stair at right

Mudhouse, the house near completion — fig. 05 · the house near completion

Mudhouse, porch corner under the roof overhang — fig. 06 · porch corner under the roof overhang

Mudhouse, roof frame and clerestory above a cast-earth wall — fig. 07 · roof frame and clerestory above a cast-earth wall

Mudhouse, ceiling panels between the rafters — fig. 08 · ceiling panels between the rafters

Mudhouse, bedroom with hanging shelves — fig. 09 · bedroom with hanging shelves

Mudhouse, bedroom — fig. 10 · mudhouse, bedroom

Mudhouse, garden path edged with bamboo — fig. 11 · garden path edged with bamboo

Mudhouse, the road to abetenim — fig. 12 · the road to abetenim

Mudhouse, formwork for the first wall — fig. 13 · formwork for the first wall

Mudhouse, cast-earth walls on a gabion base — fig. 14 · cast-earth walls on a gabion base

Mudhouse, cast-earth walls with the formwork off — fig. 15 · cast-earth walls with the formwork off

Mudhouse, cast-earth wall after formwork removal — fig. 16 · cast-earth wall after formwork removal

Mudhouse, walls and door frames before the roof — fig. 17 · walls and door frames before the roof

Mudhouse, builders in a door opening — fig. 18 · builders in a door opening

Mudhouse, mixing earth by foot — fig. 19 · mixing earth by foot

Mudhouse, earth tiles drying — fig. 20 · earth tiles drying

Mudhouse, raising the water tank — fig. 21 · raising the water tank

Mudhouse, setting the bamboo edging — fig. 22 · setting the bamboo edging

Drawings

Mudhouse, courtyard rendering, formwork reused as roof structure — fig. 23 · courtyard rendering, formwork reused as roof structure

Mudhouse, exploded axonometric: roof sheet, roof frame and cast-earth walls — fig. 24 · exploded axonometric: roof sheet, roof frame and cast-earth walls

COPA (Cordero Pardee) is an architectural design practice with offices in New York, Los Angeles and Santo Domingo.

Mudhouse

Schedule

Figures

Drawings

Location

Hours